Bravehearts

New Britain, CT - After months of anticipation, the Worcester Bravehearts opened their season against the newest member of the Futures League, New Britain Bees. In their inaugural game, the Bees were able to come away with a 6-0 victory against the defending Futures League champions. 

It was the Bees who struck early in the bottom of the second inning. Todd Petersen reached on a single to lead off the inning and advanced two bases on a passed ball. After Worcester starter Angelo Baez recorded the next two outs, Tony Socci singled to left to score Petersen.  Baez exited after three innings getting the loss despite only giving up 4 hits, one earned run and 6 strikeouts. 

New Britain starting pitcher Alex Price went four scoreless innings. The lefty gave up two hits and two walks while striking out five. Josh Vincent got the win in relief for the Bees going 2 1/3 innings giving up two hits and two walks while striking out three. 

It wasn’t until the sixth inning where another run crossed the plate. Right-hander Kevin Hummer was brought into the game to start the inning for Worcester. The reliever out of Western New England allowed three straight singles to Derek Tenney, Noah Martinez and Andrew Cain to load the bases with no outs. Petersen delivered again with a two-run single extending the lead to 3-0. Petersen then attempted to steal second while Cain scored, after an errant throw by catcher Ben Rice extended the lead to 4-0. 

The Bees kept the offense going in the seventh inning adding two more runs. With Hunter Reynolds on the mound for Worcester, Kyle Brennan and  Tenney walked to put runners on first and second. Cain continued his hot hitting, ripping a double to centerfield scoring both runs and bumping the lead to 6-0. 

John West (Boston College) , Shawn Babineau (Franklin Pierce), and Alex Amalfi (UMASS Boston) each pitched a scoreless inning for Worcester. 

The Bravehearts will have the next two days off before traveling to Nashua to face the Silver Knights on Sunday. First pitch will be at 3:05pm.