Bravehearts

Lynn, MA— The Bravehearts bats helped make up for some bad defensive plays, as they scored five runs in the top of the fifth inning to beat North Shore in the Navigator’s home opener. After taking an early lead, the Bravehearts found themselves down 3-2 after four innings. Worcester’s offense came roaring back and the bullpen shut down North Shore for the rest of the game.
 
Worcester struck first when an RBI single from Joe Pesce gave the Bravehearts a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Michael Dellicarri doubled this lead with an RBI single of his own in the third. A pair of RBI singles from Corey DiLoreto and Elias Varinos tied the game at two for the Navigators.
 
North Shore would take the lead in the fourth when Worcester starter Jared Freilich committed an error on a groundball back to the mound, allowing a run to score. Overall, Worcester committed five errors and the Navigators committed four. Freilich pitched four innings for the Bravehearts, giving up 3 runs off five hits and three walks.  
 
Worcester would answer back in the top of the fifth when an RBI single off the bat of Dustin Harris and a sacrifice fly from Brett Coffel gave the Bravehearts a one-run lead. Pesce hit a two-run RBI single to stretch the lead to three. He would also score two runs in the seventh and ninth innings to extend the Bravehearts lead.
 
Pesce was 4-5 with four singles, three RBIs and two runs. Dustin Harris was 2-5 with a pair of singles and two RBIs.
 
Worcester manager J.P. Pyne was pleased with Pesce’s performance. “He’s had consistently good at-bats,” Pyne said. “He takes what he is given and he doesn’t try to do too much. He gets the job done.”
 
Rob Cerulle picked up the win for the Bravehearts, pitching three innings and allowing just three hits and no runs. Brenden Cournoyer also did not allow a run for Worcester, pitching the final two innings of the game. Garret Keough got the loss for North Shore.
 
With the win, Worcester improves to 2-1 on the season, while the Navigators fall to 0-3. The Bravehearts continue play tomorrow at home against the Pittsfield Suns at 4:05.