Bravehearts

Worcester, MA- The Bravehearts’ bats came through in a big way Monday night as they dispatched the Pittsfield Suns 10-1 in their Futures League play-in game at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field. 

With the win, the Bravehearts punched their ticket to the Futures League semifinals. 

Worcester got the offense going right away in the bottom of the first. After back-to-back singles by Mariano Ricciardi and John Thrasher, Ben Rice drove both in with a single to make it 2-0. 

The Bravehearts continued their hot hitting in the bottom of the third. Once they loaded the bases on a Thrasher hit-by-pitch, a Ben Rice walk and Chris Rinaldi single, Mack Cheli singled Thrasher in. Riley Livingston then reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on an error, scoring two more runs in the process. 

Worcester kept pouring it on, scoring three runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth, extending their lead to 10-0. 

With two outs in the top of the ninth, Jackson Petersen hit a solo home run to right field to put Pittsfield on the board, but that would be all the scoring the Suns would muster, and Worcester would get the 10-1 victory. 

Bravehearts starter Angelo Baez got the win, tossing six scoreless innings while giving up three hits and two walks and striking out eight. Taking the loss for Pittsfield was starter Mike Nocchi, giving up eight runs, seven of which were earned, on nine hits while walking two and striking out two. 

The Bravehearts will face the Brockton Rox in the Futures League semifinals in a best-of-three series. Game dates and times will be announced later.