WORCESTER – The Westfield Starfires scored three runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back on their way to routing the Bravehearts, 7-1, on Monday night.
Elijah Dale’s bases-clearing double with two outs made the score 3-0.
The Starfires proceeded to score a run in three consecutive innings spanning from the third to the fifth to open a 6-0 lead.
With the bases loaded, Tommy Quinn walked to plate a run in the third. In the fourth, a wild pitch with runners on second and third plated another run. Westfield loaded the bases again in the fifth, and a miscommunication between Worcester catcher Craig Corliss and first baseman Mack Cheli resulted in another run as a snap throw down to first got away.
Westfield added a seventh run in the ninth on another bases loaded walk.
Worcester’s lone run came from a Jakob Sessa homerun to right field off of Starfires pitcher Pat Hannon in the bottom of the eighth inning. The homerun was Sessa’s first of the seasn.
The Bravehearts had their chances to grab some runs of their own during the game and put multiple runners on base with fewer than two outs in the first, third, and ninth innings, but could not capitalize. Worcester stranded the bases loaded to end the game.
Westfield’s Elijah Dale finished with two hits in addition to his three RBI. Christian Walsh joined him with two hits. Two hits apiece from Sessa and Ben McNeil and one from Mariano Ricciardi were all for Worcester.
Chase Jeter shined across five innings for Westfield, scattering four hits and striking out three. Jack Steele, however, lasted just 2.2 innings, allowing four runs on five walks and five hits.
During the game, the Bravehearts welcomed nine local teachers onto the field as honorary first base coaches to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Day. The teachers were nominated by their students. All school employees got into the game for free.
Worcester takes on Bristol at home at 6:35 PM on Tuesday night. The Bravehearts will look to snap a two-game losing streak. The Bravehearts fell to the Blues 3-0 in their first and only meeting back on June 12.
On Tuesday night, the Bravehearts also celebrate Bark in the Park Day. Fans are welcome to bring their dogs to the field.
Lead photo: FCBL/Twitter
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