Bravehearts

Worcester, MA – A two-RBI double from Brockton’s Matt Ronai in the top of the sixth inning broke a tie at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field and proved to be the difference maker as the Bravehearts fell to the Rox 3-2 Tuesday morning. Worcester falls to 4-2 on the season, and Brockton improves to 4-2.

The inning started when Bravehearts’ starter Tyler Patane struck out Kalen Puckett, but the ball got away from catcher Brett Coffel, allowing Puckett to reach first base. A fielder’s choice replaced Puckett on first with Connor Rowland. Matt Johnston doubled, setting up runners on second and third, and then Brockton’s cleanup  hitter Ronai laced a two-bagger to score Rowland and Johnston.

The double marked the end of Patane’s outing. The St. Thomas Aquinas product tossed 5.1 innings, allowing 3 runs on four hits while striking out six. Patane also walked a batter.

The Bravehearts did hold a lead going into that sixth inning. After Brockton scored first in the top of the fifth courtesy of an RBI double from Josh Petrucci, Worcester answered in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff walk from Dakota McFadden followed by a two-run homerun from Mack Cheli. The homer was Cheli’s third of the season and second in his last two games. McFadden finished 1-2 with a single and the walk, while Cheli’s homerun was his only hit of the afternoon.

The bottom of the fifth was the only blemish of the day for Brockton’s starter Alex Mendez. The righty threw five innings, scattering two hits and striking out two. He also walked a batter.

Both bullpens were solid. The combination of Matthew Stansky and Brenden Cournoyer shut the Rox down for the final 3.2 innings. The pair did not allow a single run. For Brockton, Sean Harney pitched the final four innings, holding Worcester to just two hits. Harney struck out five in his four scoreless innings of relief.

The game between the Bravehearts and the Rox got started at 10:30 in the morning as Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field welcomed groups of students from local schools for Baseball in Education Day.

It is another early start for Worcester tomorrow. The Bravehearts welcome the Blues for another 10:30 first pitch. Worcester lost to Bristol 3-1 back on May 31 in the second game of the season.