Bravehearts

Brockton, MA – The Worcester Bravehearts split Sunday’s doubleheader against the Brockton Rox, moving to 28-31 on the season. Brockton now sits at 33-25.

Game 1 (L, 6-2)

Brockton got the scoring started in the bottom of the first inning. An RBI single by Jacob Studley (Wheaton) that scored Luca Danos (William & Mary) put Brockton on the board, followed by a two-run double by Ben Rounds (Harvard) giving the Rox three runs for the inning.  

The Bravehearts began pecking away at the lead in the top of the second, when Shrewsbury native Christian Siciliano (Southern Maine) singled home Zach DeMattio (Wheaton) of North Attleboro. In the top of the sixth, a wild pitch would allow Cam Caraher (Southern New Hampshire) to score, cutting the lead to one run at the time. 

Brockton put the game away in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases and scoring three more runs, two of them coming on another Rounds double. 

The win went to Rox starter Juaron Watts-Brown (Long Beach State). He pitched six innings, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out six. Bravehearts starter Bryce Afthim (Southern Maine) took the loss, giving up six runs across seven innings of work on six hits with seven strikeouts. 

Game 2 (W, 8-1)

Brockton again took an early lead in the bottom of the first on a Mike Golankiewicz (Merrimack) single that scored Danos. 

The Bravehearts took the lead in the top of the fourth, when an RBI single by Mark Darakjy (Northeastern) scored Noriega. Vince Montone (Keystone) scored Darakjy on an RBI double. In the fifth, the ‘Hearts hitting stepped up, scoring five runs in total. A two-run double by Darakjy scored Shrewsbury native Nick Martin (Westfield State) and Lewis Barnum (Bryant), followed by another two-RBI double by Matt Maloney (Dayton).

North Attleboro native Dennis Colleran (Northeastern) picked up the win for the Bravehearts, tossing four scoreless innings while giving up three hits and two walks, striking out three. The loss went to Brockton’s Eddie Curley (St. Mary’s). He gave up three runs on eight hits while striking out two. 

The Bravehearts are off Monday before traveling to Pittsfield for a 6:35 matchup against the Suns.