The Worcester Bravehearts began last week a lot closer to last place than first, but over the past six games have started to show signs that they might be ready to begin to make a run toward a spot in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League’s playoffs.
Tuesday it was off to Campanelli Stadium in Brockton for WooBall to take on the Rox, and they managed to get five innings in before thunderstorms forced the game to be called. Unfortunately for the Bravehearts, they were on the wrong end of a 6-1 score at the time. Worcester’s lone run came in the top of the fifth on a Jack Goodman RBI single.
Westfield was the visitor at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field Wednesday night, and the Starfires and Bravehearts must have had plans for later in the evening as they played a nine-inning game in just 111 minutes, with Worcester coming out on top 3-2. A Matt Livingston sacrifice fly in the second inning made it 1-0 Bravehearts, and after Westfield tied it in the fouth Kosta Drosidis‘ RBI double and TJ Wachter hard infield out plated two runs.
The Starfires cut WooBall’s lead to 3-2 in the seventh, but Zander Gilmartin slammed the door shut over the final two innings, earning a save in his first Worcester appearance. Ben Smith earned the win, scattering five hits over seven innings while striking out four.
Vermont was the Thursday opponent in the first of two games this week between the teams at the HIP, and it was the Lake Monsters taking the opener 6-4. Down 5-0 after two the Bravehearts got on the board in the third on a solo shot by Connor Peek. In the sixth a Matty Warren RBI double made it 5-2.
After a run in the top of the ninth made it 6-2 Vermont WooBall made a final surge to get the game tied, with Cam Seymour launching a solo home run and two batters later Sebastian Mexico tripled in another run. But 6-4 was as close as Worcester would get.
Friday was the return engagement of the two teams at the HIP, but it was more of the same story as the Bravehearts lost again by a score of 4-1. WooBall’s lone run came in the seventh inning when Kosta Drosidis was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Jack Goodman went 4-4 on the night.
Worcester went west to Bullens Field on Saturday to take on Westfield in a noontime NESN start, and erased a four run deficit in the late innings defeat the Starfires 5-4. Down 4-0 after four Kosta Drosidis got WooBall on the board in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly. In the seventh frame Worcester tied the game with runs on two wild pitches, and a Matt Livingston bases-loaded walk.
In the ninth inning TJ Wachter singled in Drosidis for the eventual game-winning run. Zander Gilmartin earned the win pitching the last two innings.
The two teams met again on Sunday at the HIP, and this one was all Bravehearts as they walloped the Starfires 9-2. Matt Livingston got WooBall going with an RBI single in the first, and Andrew Chronister made it 2-0 in the second when he singled in Sebastian Mexico, who had tripled to start the frame.
In the third Jack Goodman tripled a run home and then scored on Mexico’s single to center. Westfield got two back in the top of the fourth, but in the home half Cam Seymour‘s sacrifice fly made it a 5-2 lead. In the sixth Seymore hit the ball a lot further and his two-run blast made it 7-2. In the eighth Worcester got their final two runs on an infield error and a Mexico RBI single.
Clay Robbins upped his record to 3-1 with the win, going five innings and striking out six. Gavin Price and newcomer Coleman Picard both had two frames of scoreless relief.
210Sports’ Bravehearts of the week
Pitcher: Zander Gilmartin is this week’s winner, earning a win and a save in his first two WooBall appearances. He did not allow a baserunner in four innings pitched and struck out three.
Batter: Sebastian Mexico gets the nod this week, going 7-11 with two triples in three games. He also scored three runs, had three RBI, and did not strike out.
This week’s opponents (Schedule subject to change)
Monday off
Tuesday vs Brockton, 6:30pm
Wednesday at Nashua, 6pm
Thursday vs New Britain, 6:30pm
Friday at New Britain, 6:30pm
Saturday at Vermont, 6pm
Sunday at Vermont, 5pm
Tickets to Bravehearts home games can be purchased online or by calling (508) 438-3773.
Around the FCBL
Tuesday
@New Britain 11, Norwich 10
@Vermont 14, Pittsfield 13
Nashua @ Westfield, ppd, rain
Wednesday
Brockton 7, @Norwich 6
Nashua 5, @New Britain 4
@Vermont 5, Pittsfield 1
Thursday
Nashua 8, @Westfield 4
@New Britain 3, Norwich 2
Brockton 6, @Pittsfield 3
Friday
New Britain 9, @Nashua 4
@Norwich 3, Pittsfield 1
@Westfield 9, Brockton 8
Saturday
Vermont 3, @Nashua 1
New Britain 9, @Pittsfield 7
Norwich 3, @Brockton 1 (6 innings)
Sunday
Brockton 2, @New Britain 1 (game 1, 7 innings)
@New Britain 11, Brockton 6 (game 2, 7 innings)
Pittsfield 6, @Norwich 1
For frequent updates on the Worcester Bravehearts follow @210Darryl on twitter.
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