O'Reilly, Bravehearts shine bright in victory against Suns
July 9, 2014 - Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL)
Worcester Bravehearts News Release
Despite dropping to sixth in the batting order, Worcester Bravehearts outfielder Brendan O'Reilly has always been able to deliver a key hit when it counts.
O'Reilly hit a 2-run single with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Bravehearts to a 5-3 victory against the Pittsfield Suns on July 9 at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.
The Bravehearts took advantage of four Pittsfield errors in the victory. Pittsfield's first error was perhaps most costly, as a throwing error by Suns second baseman Tad Martin allowed two runs to score in the first inning.
Pittsfield responded in the third inning with a 2RBI single by catcher Dan Pallazo. Auburn, Mass., native Zach Tower gave the Suns their only lead of the game in the fourth inning with a solo home run off Bravehearts starter Charlie Butler. Butler was pulled after 3.1 innings, as he surrendered three earned runs on five hits and struck out five.
However, the Suns committed another costly error in the sixth inning when third baseman Jeff McGarry dropped a groundball off the bat of Brendan O'Reilly, which allowed Bravehearts first baseman Shane Sandoval to score from third base and tie the game 3-3.
Worcester also got help from two new faces, as pitchers Joe Saia and Josh Desai threw 4.2 innings combined in relief. Desai, a former pitcher for the North Shore Navigators, pitched three innings allowing only one hit out of the 11 batters he faced. Desai got the win after keeping the game tied 3-3 after eight innings. Hopedale, Mass., native Ian Strom switched from left field to the pitchers mound in the ninth inning to record his first save of the season.
Pittsfield starter and Holy Cross sophomore Phil Reese threw seven innings with only one earned run on six hits. But Suns reliever Blake Drew took the loss after allowing the go-ahead runs to reach base in the eighth inning.
The 19-9 Bravehearts will go for their 20th win of the season against the Martha's Vineyard Sharks at 7:05 p.m. July 10 at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.
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