Bravehearts outlast Sharks, head back to FCBL Championship
August 14, 2015 - Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL)
Worcester Bravehearts News Release
OAK BLUFFS - It took 15 innings of heart-pounding baseball, but the Worcester Bravehearts knocked off the No. 1 seed Martha's Vineyard Sharks in a 7-4 semifinal contest Thursday night, Aug. 13 at The Shark Tank in Oak Bluffs and are back in the FCBL Championship Series.
Both teams played seven scoreless innings of baseball before Worcester finally broke through in the top of the 15th. With runners on first and second, Bravehearts right fielder Willie Allen (Lewis & Clark State / Boston) smacked a one-out RBI double to give his team the lead. Thanks to a throwing error, third baseman Mike Coggeshall (Assumption / Shrewsbury) also scored, and Allen moved over to third. Second baseman Derek Gibree (Saint Leo / Largo, Florida) brought home Allen on an RBI single to cap of the inning.
Before that big rally, the Bravehearts had to bend their way out of trouble in the field. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 13th inning, Sharks infielder Guy Davidson (Wesleyan University / New York, New York) grounded a ball to Coggeshall who threw home to get one out. But when catcher TJ Riccio (New Haven / Port Jeff Station, New York) went to throw the ball to first, left fielder Brian Campbell (Stonehill / Franklin) hit Riccio's leg and was called for interference, which ended the inning.
Though he didn't collect the win, Bravehearts pitcher Charlie Butler was masterful in relief, as he tossed 5.1 scoreless innings while giving up three hits and striking out five. Kyle Cutler (Fitchburg State / Clinton) got the win after holding the Sharks scoreless in the bottom of the 14th inning. Logan Fullmer (Maine / Lebanon, Pennsylvania) allowed one hit but closed out the game in the 15th to record his second save in as many nights.
Worcester took a 2-0 lead early with RBI singles from center fielder Ian Strom (UMass Lowell / Hopedale) and Riccio. Martha's Vineyard tied the game three different times thanks, in part, to solo home runs from right fielder Donovan Casey (Boston College / Stratford, New Jersey) in the 2nd and Campbell in the 6th.
First baseman Zack Tower (UMass Lowell / Auburn) gave Worcester the lead on three occasions. First, he hit a solo shot to right field in the 5th inning, and he also gave his team a 4-3 when hit a sacrifice fly when the Sharks were trying to intentionally walk him to load the bases and set up a double play. Tower also scored the go-ahead run in the 15th inning.
The Bravehearts outhit the Sharks 14-9 but struck out 22 times compared to 17 times for Martha's Vineyard. Sharks reliever Mac Curran (Niagara / Lakeville) took the loss.
The Worcester Bravehearts will play Game One of the league championship against the Bristol Blues at 7:05 p.m. Friday night, Aug. 14 at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field. For tickets visit the Hanover Insurance Park box office, worcesterbravehearts.com or call 508-478-3008.
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Futures Collegiate Baseball League Stories from August 14, 2015
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- Bravehearts outlast Sharks, head back to FCBL Championship - Worcester Bravehearts
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