WORCESTER – What a way to start a season.
For the first time in the franchise’s six-year history, the Worcester Bravehearts threw a no-hitter on their opening night of the 2019 season, beating the Nashua Silver Knights 5-2 at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.
Shawn Babineau threw six scoreless innings in the win for the Bravhearts.
A bases-loaded double by Jake Sessa drove in two runs in the bottom of the second inning and got things rolling for the Bravhearts’ offense.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Bravehearts managed another three runs — and that would be all the scoring the team would need. After Tyler Becker led off with a walk, Jack Gardner advanced him to third on a single after Becker stole second base. Becker scored when Paul Coumoulos grounded out, and Gardner would eventually come home when Aiden Wilde singled.
Nashua starter John Parker took the loss, giving up four earned runs in 2 1/3 innings before being removed from the game.
While the Silver Knights were unable to get a hit, things did get interesting late in the game thanks to five walks given up by Worcester’s pitching, along with three errors defensively by the Bravehearts. In the eighth, Benjamin Cowles scored on a passed ball, and Billy Butler would come in on an error by Coumoulos.
Angelo Baez came in for Worcester and picked up the save in the top of the ninth to seal the 5-2 victory.
The Bravehearts play again Friday night at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field at 7:00 PM against the North Shore Navigators.
