Bravehearts

Worcester, MA – The Suns scored three runs in the fifth inning and then another three in the sixth inning, and that would be all the runs they needed as Pittsfield topped the Bravehearts, 6-3, on Friday night.

Worcester jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but things soon unraveled. The fifth inning started with a single from Pittsfield’s Kyle Cronk, followed by Brian McHale getting hit by a pitch. Despite the jam, the inning looked promising for Worcester and starting pitcher Jared Freilich after Taylor Meilleur hit into a double play. With McHale still on first base, Dave Matthews singled, but the ball got by centerfielder Joseph Pesce, allowing McHale to come all the way around from first to score. Dylan Faircoth then doubled home Matthews to tie the game at two apiece. A miscommunication in the outfield on a routine fly ball led to an error on left fielder Alex Gionis, and Faircloth came around to score the third run of the inning for Pittsfield to take a one-run lead.

An inning later, Brenden Cournoyer came in to pitch the sixth inning for Worcester. Peter Marren tripled to left field and came around to score a few batters later on an infield single by Meilleur. With Cronk and Meilleur on base, Matthews laced a two-RBI double to give the Suns a 6-2 advantage.

A Mack Cheli RBI double in the first inning and a Cheli homerun in the fourth inning provided the offense for Worcester to take the early 2-0 lead. After Pittsfield scored its six runs, Brett Coffel brought in a run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom half of the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 6-3, but that is as close as the Bravehearts would get. Cheli finished 2-4 with his fourth dinger of the season and two RBIs. Michael Dellicarri also notched a 2-4 performance.

Worcester starter Jared Freilich tossed five innings allowing three runs on six hits. The righty struck out five and walked two. Cournoyer pitched three innings of relief and allowed three runs, all of which came in the sixth inning. Rob Cerulle pitch a scoreless inning of relief. The Bravehearts defense did not help the pitchers as the team committed four errors in the field.

Pittsfield starter Gage Feeney pitched seven innings of eight-hit baseball, allowing three runs. He struck out two Bravehearts hitters. Mike Demarest and Kyle O’Neill pitched the final two innings of relief to close the door. Dave Matthews finished 2-4 with two RBI, and Dylan Faircloth went 2-5 with an RBI. Peter Marren went 3-5 and Kyle Cronk finished 2-3 from the nine-spot in the lineup. Pittsfield also left 11 runners on base.

Worcester hits the road over the weekend, matching up against the Suns on Saturday and the Sharks on Sunday. The Bravehearts return home on Monday, June 18. First pitch is at 6:30 against Nashua.