Bravehearts

LEOMINSTER, MA – Worcester starting pitcher Cole Chudoba (Assumption) struck out 15 batters Tuesday night versus Westfield, setting the team and the FCBL record for most strikeouts by one pitcher in a single game, as the Bravehearts cruised to a 7-1 victory over the Starfires at Doyle Field.

Chudoba’s thirteenth strikeout set the team record previously held by Ryan Auerbach and Frankie Moscatiello. Chudoba set the league record in grand fashion by striking out his fifteenth batter to end his outing on an eight-consecutive strikeout streak.

Chudoba lasted six innings and allowed just one hit, a solo homerun to Brayden Seaburg in the third inning. The homerun was the only hit for Westfield all game. Chudoba struck out the side on three separate occasions. 

The excitement was not limited to just the pitcher’s mound as Worcester hit two homeruns to power the offense. With the score tied 1-1 after the Seaburg dinger, shortstop Ben McNeill (NYIT) launched a two-run shot to give Worcester the lead. Catcher Jack Gardner (Morehead State) added breathing room with a solo homerun to make the score 4-1 Bravehearts.

The Bravehearts added three runs in the seventh inning, highlighted by a Danny Torres (St. Leo) RBI single. Westfield pitchers did themselves no favors by walking a combined ten batters. Anthony Redfern took the loss for the Starfires (7-8), allowing four runs across four innings. 

Christopher Mott pitched the final three innings for Worcester and picked up right where Chudoba left off. Mott (NYIT) did not allow a run or a hit and struck out another five batters for a 20-strikeout performance between the two pitchers. 

The win gets Worcester (10-5) back in the win column after breaking its three-game winning streak Tuesday night at the hands of the Nashua Silver Knights. The win also keeps Worcester in first place in the FCBL standings.

The game between the Bravehearts and the Starfires was supposed to be the third consecutive matchup between the two opponents, but Mother Nature forced the cancellation of Wednesday’s and Thursday’s contests. 

The Bravehearts hit the road tomorrow night for a matchup with last place New Britain. Worcester returns home to Doyle Field Sunday for a four o’clock first pitch versus Brockton, the first matchup with the Rox this summer.