Bravehearts slug their way to Opening Day win at Westfield

  • Worcester returns to Fitton Field for Home Opener Saturday

    WESTFIELD — A 14-hit barrage powered the Worcester Bravehearts to a 10-0 Opening Day win over the Westfield Starfires Friday.

    Worcester’s offensive onslaught began with a 4-run second inning before the Bravehearts added 6 more in the third inning, highlighted by Tyler McCord’s (Amherst) 3-run home run.

    Worcester native Max LeFrancois (Assumption), Hingham native Timmy Wagner (Wheaton), Matt Milone (SUNY Maritime) and Owen Pincince (New Haven) all added multi-hit performances.

    On the mound, ’Hearts starter Brandon Stanley (SUNY Maritime) scattered 4 hits across 5 shutout innings, striking out 5 to earn the win. Hopkinton’s Josh Fischer (Wheaton) and Hudson’s Keegan Antelman (Bentley) each pitched a scoreless inning in relief.

    The Bravehearts return to Fitton Field for Saturday’s home opener, where they’ll face Westfield for the second straight day.

    Fiskdale native Mavrick Rizy, a 6-foot-8 right-hander signed to pitch at LSU next season, gets the start for Worcester. Rizy, who boasts a fastball topping 96 miles per hour, pitched to a 0.82 ERA with 60 strikeouts in just over 40 innings as a Worcester Academy senior this spring. He’ll oppose Westfield righty Jack Martineau (Post).

    Saturday’s Home Opener begins at 6:30 p.m. Fitton Field gates open at 5:30.

Announcements