Bravehearts

 

Nashua opened the scoring on the afternoon, plating three runs against ‘Hearts starter Aaron Dona (STAC) through the first two frames. Dona shut down the Silver Knights following the first two innings, finishing with a final line of three runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk, while striking out eight. Dona was able to pitch in front of his father Thomas while wearing the Bravehearts alternate Autism Awareness Jerseys, which Thomas designed for the “Create a Jersey” Contest.

 

Worcester responded in a big way in the bottom of the second inning, plating six runs on three hits. Michael Perales (Amherst) drew a walk with the bases loaded to bring in Grafton native Andrew Eppinger (NJIT). Rico Riley (Jackson State) was hit by a pitch two batters later, which drove in Kenny Mallory Jr. (Vanderbilt). Gavin Noriega (Marist) drove in the leading runs with a bases clearing double. Tayven Kelley (Penn State) completed the six-spot, driving in Noriega with a single.

 

A pinch-hit triple by Nashua’s Sam McNulty (Boston College) slimmed the lead to 6-4 in the seventh, and brought the score to 7-6 in the eighth with an RBI ground out by Brandon Fish (UMass Lowell) and a run scoring single by McNulty.

 

The ‘Hearts would score again in the seventh after a single by Mallory Jr. brought in Eppinger. Worcester tacked on to their lead in the eighth with a two-run home run by Riley, which drove in Perales.

 

Barre native Croix Jenkins (NJIT) was credited with the win for Worcester after allowing one run on two hits and one walk, while striking out one over one inning. Nashua’s Shea Ryan (Assumption) was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, while striking out five. Dennis Colleran (Northeastern) got the six-out save for the ‘Hearts allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits, while striking out four.

 

Worcester heads to New Britain on Tuesday June 29th for a doubleheader, and return to Fitton Field Wednesday June 30th to face the Brockton Rox at 6:30 p.m.