Bravehearts

Worcester, MA-  Coming out of the All-Star break, Worcester looked to come out strong against Wachusett. Although the game remained tied 2-2 after 10 innings, the Dirt Dawgs dominated the home run derby.

Wachusett got things started in the early first inning. Bradley Wood singled with one out and advanced to third on a Mike Coggeshall single. Wood then scored on a passed ball, giving the Dirt Dawgs a 1-0 lead.

Worcester quickly answered back in the first inning. After Kevin Doody and Greg Kocinski singled, John Friday walked to load the bases. Joe Caico was then hit by a pitch to bring in the first Worcester run. Pat Demarco then hit a sacrifice fly to center, bringing in the second run of the inning. Unfortunately for Worcester, those were the only two runs they managed to get.

Eddie Santiago started for Wachusett and pitched well. His final line was 6 IP, 2 H and 2 R. He struck out 7.

For the Bravehearts, Billy Devito got the start. After starting the All-Star game, Devito took the hill in Worcester's first game back. He went 5 innings while only giving up 1 earned run, but did allow 8 hits and 2 walks.

Cody Laweryson came in for relief and had his best outing of the season. The righty from University of Maine went 4 innings and struck out 9 of the 14 batters he faced. Laweryson only allowed 2 hits.

"I push myself to get ahead in the count all the time," said the All-Star pitcher. Laweryson also commented on being named an All-Star.  "We were able to represent Worcester well, but this was a tough loss tonight"

Worcester had a chance in the bottom of the 9th to win. After John Friday singled to lead off the inning, he advanced to second on a passed ball. Joe Caico was intentionally walked to put runners on first and second. Joe Simeone was then brought in for relief for Wachusett. He managed to strike out the next three Braveheart batters to get out of the inning.

The game went to a home run derby after it remained tied at 2 after 10 innings. Wachusett dominated the derby from the start. Don Walsh started for Wachusett and hit 3 home runs. Zack Tower then came in and hit 9 home runs after a time-out. The Dirt Dawgs then called their second time-out and brought back Walsh. The right handed batter tallied 3 more home runs to increase the Dirt Dawgs total to 15.

Joe Caico started the derby for Worcester and could not get anything going. After many unsuccessful attempts, Caico was pulled in favor for Pat Demarco. He made things interesting however, as Demarco blasted 10 home runs after the timeout. Worcester lost the derby 15-10. They will be rewarded 1 point in the standings, while Wachusett got 2.

Worcester plays again tomorrow night at 7:05 pm against the Eastern Division leading Brockton Rox. The game will be at home at Hanover Insurance Park. Worcester falls to 17-21 on the season and remains in fourth place in the Western Division.