Local sports (Sponsor: Worcester Bravehearts)

Late rally lifts Lake Monsters over Bravehearts

  • Posted by Local sports (Sponsor: Worcester Bravehearts) June 16, 2024 - Filed in Sports - #Worcester Bravehearts  #Futures League  #Fitton Field  - 501 views

    Vermont plates 3 runs across final 2 innings

    WORCESTER - 3 runs in the eighth and ninth innings lifted the Vermont Lake Monsters to a 5-4 win over the Worcester Bravehearts, re-branded temporarily as Los Bravos de Worcester, on Latino Heritage Night at Fitton Field Saturday.

    Vermont jumped out to a 1-0 lead on the game’s first pitch when Lake Monsters designated hitter Chone James clocked a solo home run to left field, but Worcester starter Jordan Gottesman (Endicott) bounced back to retire 3 straight hitters.

    The ’Hearts responded with 2 runs in the bottom of the first. CJ Egrie (Holy Cross) scored on a Cody Smith (Assumption) groundout, then Matt Milone (SUNY Maritime) drilled a run-scoring double to left field to put the Bravehearts ahead.

    Egrie knocked a second-inning RBI single to left to make it 3-1, but Vermont drew within 1 when a wild pitch plated a run in the third. In the fourth inning, Egrie manufactured a run when he was hit by a pitch with 2 outs, stole second, then advanced home on a pair of wild pitches.

    Gottesman, the Division III Pitcher of the Year in Region II at Endicott, exited the game with the Bravehearts ahead 4-2. The lefty went 6 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits with 6 strikeouts.

    The game remained scoreless into the eighth inning, but the Lake Monsters rallied to tie the game, knotting the score after RBI singles by James and Joe Marini. Bolton’s James Borsari (Merrimack) entered in relief of Nick Coniglio (Northeastern) to record the final out of the top of eighth and keep the game tied. In the bottom half, a Bravehearts rally was cut short when Owen Pincince (New Haven) was cut down on the base path, and the ninth began in a 4-4 tie.

    With 2 outs in the top of the ninth, Vermont’s Jeter Polledo drilled a run-scoring single to put Vermont ahead for good and, despite Smith’s 2-out double, a strikeout ended the contest.

    Borsari (1-1) took the loss, while Vermont’s Sean Gamble (1-0) earned the win.

    Worcester (9-9) sits in fifth place in the 8-team Futures League. The ’Hearts and Lake Monsters meet again at Fitton Field Sunday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

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