Bravehearts

PITTSFIELD, MA— The Bravehearts lost 4-3 in the first game of a doubleheader against the Pittsfield Suns on Saturday evening at Wahconah Park. 

The Suns got the scoring started in the bottom of the third with a Brendan Jones (Kansas State) two-run home run. 

The Bravehearts shortened the lead to 2-1 on a Sebastian Salado (Palm Beach Atlantic) RBI double that scored Andrew Selima (Merrimack). 

Pittsfield extended their lead in the bottom of the fourth, adding two more runs thanks to a double by Jones, giving him a total of four RBI for the game. 

The Bravehearts scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth thanks to an Alex Neff (Dayton) two-run home run, knocking in Nic Britt (William & Mary) and making the score 4-3. They would get no closer, as Pittsfield’s bullpen held on for the win.

Pittsfield starter Isaiah Mestre (New Haven) got the win, giving up one run across five innings on three hits, walking one and striking out six. Starting pitcher Bryce Afthim (Southern Maine) picked up the loss for Worcester, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks in four innings while striking out five. The save went to Pittsfield’s Jackson Atwood (Middlebury), who gave up two runs, one earned, across two innings while walking one and striking out four. 

 The Bravehearts battled back in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader against Pittsfield, beating the Suns 5-1 at Wahconah Park. 

Trailing 1-0 heading into the third, the ‘Hearts put up three runs in the top of the frame and didn’t look back. After loading the bases, Worcester broke through with an RBI single by Tayven Kelly (Penn State). Andrew Selima (Merrimack) drove in Nic Britt (William & Mary) and Sebastian Salado (Palm Beach Atlantic) on a two-run single later in the inning. 

Salado helped extend the lead the next inning, when he drove Dakota Harris (Polk State) in on an RBI single of his own. An RBI groundout by Kenny Mallory Jr. (Vanderbilt) scored Selima in the top of the seventh, giving Worcester a 5-1 lead that held the rest of the way. 

Nick Giattino (Amherst) got the win for Worcester. He threw three scoreless innings and gave up no hits, walking three and striking out four. Christian Womble (Cloud County) took the loss for Pittsfield, giving up four runs, three earned, on eight hits across four innings, walking two and striking out six. The save went to Worcester’s Tyler Mudd (Holy Cross), who threw two scoreless innings in relief, only allowing a walk while striking out two. 

Both teams sit at 5-3 after Saturday’s doubleheader split. 

The Bravehearts continue their road trip Sunday afternoon against the Nashua Silver Knights at Holman Stadium. First pitch is set for 3:05.