Pincince, Matos homer as Bravehearts crush Rox

  • Game called after 7 innings for FCBL run rule

    WORCESTER - Owen Pincince (New Haven) and Kevin Matos (Wheaton) each clubbed a 3-run home run as the Worcester Bravehearts run-ruled the Brockton Rox, 13-3, at Fitton Field Sunday. The long balls marked the first of the season for both ’Hearts hitters.

    Worcester opened the game by loading the bases in the first, then took a 2-0 lead when Jackson Marshall (Southern New Hampshire) walked and Joey Rubin (Alabama) drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

    On the pitcher’s mound, ’Hearts starter Jordan Gottesman rolled through the first 3 innings, striking out 4 batters and allowing just 2 hits. Gottesman ran into trouble in the fourth inning, when Brockton scored its first run on a Jack Beverley single. Then the Rox tied the game in the fifth when Connor Vercollone scored on a Rubin error.

    With the score tied at 2 in the bottom of the fifth, Pincince swatted a 3-run home run to left-center off of Rox reliever Colby Barker. Worcester added on when Timmy Wagner (Wheaton) plated Dylan LaPointe (FAU) with a sacrifice fly, and the ’Hearts never trailed again.

    A sacrifice fly scored Brockton’s third run of the game in the sixth, but Worcester continued its offensive onslaught, opening up its largest lead of the game when LaPointe drove a sacrifice fly to right, Shea Grady (Bryant) raced home on a Brockton throwing error, and Matos clubbed his first homer of the season to right-center.

    In the seventh, Worcester secured the run-rule victory after Grady scored on a wild pitch and Matos drew a bases-loaded walk.

    Gottesman (1-0) earned the win after pitching 5 innings. The lefty allowed 1 earned run on 5 hits, walking 1 and striking out 7.

    Worcester (16-13) remains in fifth place in the FCBL. The Bravehearts take 2 days off before returning to Fitton Field Wednesday for a doubleheader against the Futures League Road Warriors. Game 1 begins at 4:30 p.m., with Game 2 starting approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1. Both contests are 7 innings.

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