Bravehearts

Worcester, MA – It was an unconventional day of baseball for the Bravehearts against the Suns featuring a continuation of Monday’s postponed game followed by the originally scheduled 4:05 first pitch, but it proved to be a good day for Worcester as the ‘Hearts ultimately won both games Sunday afternoon.

Monday’s game was postponed with one out in the top of the third, score tied and a runner on second, but Worcester (25-23) used a nine-run fifth inning to cruise past Pittsfield 15-6. The Bravehearts loaded the bases, and a PJ Barry walk forced in a run. Ben Rice followed with a two-run single, and a throwing error on a Mack Cheli single scored another run. Paul Coumoulos singled in another run before Worcester reloaded the bases. Trevor Johnson was hit by a pitch to force in a run, and Mariano Ricciardi emptied the bases with a double to push the lead to 11-4.

The Bravehearts added four more runs in the seventh on a Barry three-run double and a Ben Rice RBI-single. Rice finished 3 for 5 with four RBI, which includes an RBI-single he recorded when the game started on Monday.

Jack Steele replaced Monday’s starter Troy Klemm. The righty allowed an inherited runner to score in the third, and Jack Cooney singled home a run in the fourth to give Pittsfield a 4-2 lead, but Steele ultimately picked up the win by pitching through the seventh inning.

In game two, a seven-inning game, the Bravehearts used a trio of three-run innings to beat the Suns 9-2. A Trevor Johnson RBI-triple followed by a Chris Rinaldi two-run home run provided the first inning scoring. One inning later, John Thrasher plated two runs with a triple, and Johnson hit Thrasher home on a sacrifice fly. Worcester capped the scoring in the third, highlighted by a Thrasher sacrifice fly. Thrasher finished 2 for 3 with two RBI.

Angelo Baez picked up the win for the Bravehearts, throwing six inning allowing just two runs. He struck out five, allowed seven hits, and walked two. The two Pittsfield (25-23) runs came in the sixth, with Kyle Cronk and Jackson Petersen grabbing the RBIs.

The win gives Pittsfield and Worcester identical records and puts them in a tie for fourth place in the standings.

The Bravehearts stay at home for a game against North Shore tomorrow night. First pitch is at 6:30 pm.