Bravehearts

Worcester, MA – In the final regular season home game of the year, The Worcester Bravehearts split a doubleheader against the Vermont Lake Monsters on Saturday. Worcester’s victory in the second game was the Bravehearts’ 38^th win of the season, marking a new single-season high.   

Game One (Vermont 4-2)

The first game of the day was played as a continuation of a July 21^st matchup that was cut short due to rain. The game started in the top of the fourth inning on two outs, with Vermont resuming the lead at 2-0.

Vermont extended their lead in the fifth. A Tommy Martin (Yale) double brought in Antonio Gianni (Central Arizona College) for a run, followed by a Jordan Kang (Harvard) single which allowed Martin to cross the plate. This made the score 4-0.

Worcester soon took the offensive in the bottom of the same inning. An error by the Lake Monsters’ shortstop allowed both Vincent Eramo (Fitchburg State) and Andrew Chronister (Shippensburg) to score. The inning soon ended after, making the score 4-2, which remained unchanged through to the end of the game.

The winning pitcher was Vermont starter Francis Ferguson (Eastern Nazarene), who allowed six hits and two runs in seven innings pitched. The save went to closer Callan Fang (Harvard), who let up neither a hit nor a run in one inning pitched. The loss went to Nick Choate (Anna Maria), who allowed four hits and two runs in just over two innings.

Game Two (Worcester 4-3)

The second game of today was a seven-inning game per Futures League guidelines.

The Bravehearts took the lead in the first, when a single by Kevin Matos (Wheaton) allowed Nathan Samii (Middlebury) and Tyler Bastunas (Drury) to cross the plate, making the score 2-0.

Bastunas’ first-inning single marked his 73^rd hit of 2023, creating a new Bravehearts record for single hits in a season.

Worcester added a third run in the second, when a Bastunas triple brought in Samii.

Vermont countered with two runs scored, one on a Jack Winnay (Wake Forest) single and another on a bases-loaded walk.

The ‘Hearts tacked on one last run in the fifth, when Daniel Bucciero (Fordham) doubled, allowing Bastunas to score.

The Lake Monsters threatened Worcester’s lead in the final inning when a run scored on a single, narrowing the gap. However, this proved to not be enough for the win, and Vermont ended the inning with two left on base 4-3.

The winning pitcher was James Borsari (Merrimack), who let up three hits and no runs in just over two innings pitched. The save went to Jack Beauchesne (Northeastern), who allowed two hits and one run in two innings. The loss went Evan Maloney (Rhode Island), who let up three hits and three runs in two innings.

Worcester will be on the road tomorrow, facing the Pittsfield Suns one last time for the season. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. The Bravehearts are guaranteed at least two playoff games with one played at home. The starting times and days of which will be announced by the beginning of next week.