FCBL Worcester Bravehearts

Bravehearts eliminate Suns, advance to FCBL Championship Series

Published on August 11, 2014 under Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL)
Worcester Bravehearts News Release


WORCESTER, Mass. - The story of the Worcester Bravehearts' inaugural season has been clutch hitting in the late innings.

This time it was Worcester shortstop Andy Lack's turn to be the hero.

Lack's RBI single scoring right fielder Nate Pajka in the bottom of the 10th inning catapulted the Bravehearts to a 4-3 victory in Game 2 of the FCBL semi-final round against the Pittsfield Suns on Aug. 11 at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field. With the win, the Bravehearts eliminated the Suns and clinched a spot in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League Championship Series.

Despite hitting in the ninth spot, Lack finished 2-4 with the game-winning RBI. The Bravehearts had runners on the corners with one out in the 10th inning thanks to a hit and run by center fielder Ian Strom to put Pajka on third. Both hits came off Suns reliever Nate Spielvogel who took the loss despite striking out five batters in 2.2 innings.

Bravehearts left fielder Brendan O'Reilly helped his team grab an early 3-1 lead, as he had RBI singles in the fourth and sixth innings. Third baseman Mark DeYoung also took a walk to knock in a run in the third inning.

The Suns battled back in the seventh inning, as they loaded the bases with two outs in the inning.

Designated hitter Dan Pallazo then hit a 2RBI single to left field off Worcester reliever Josh Desai to tie the game at 3-3.

Holy Cross pitcher and Bravehearts reliever Sean Gustin got the win, as he gave up only one hit in two innings pitched. Gustin worked out of a jam in the top of the 10th inning when he got Auburn, Mass., native and Suns third baseman Zach Tower to fly out to right field with two outs and runners on the corners.

Bravehearts starter Andrew Bergmann left the game with the 3-1 lead after six innings, as struck out 10 while giving up four hits and two walks.

Just minutes after the Bravehearts walked off with the win, the Martha's Vineyard Sharks eliminated the Torrington Titans with a 7-3 victory in Game 2.

The Sharks and Bravehearts will now play a best-of-three series for the FCBL Championship beginning with Game 1 at 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at Vineyard Baseball Park in Oak Bluffs, Mass. The series will shift to Worcester on Aug. 13 at Hanover Insurance Park.

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Futures Collegiate Baseball League Stories from August 11, 2014


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