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FCBL Worcester Bravehearts

Dirt Dawgs walk off on Rizzitello's 12th inning home run

August 1, 2014 - Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL)
Worcester Bravehearts News Release


LEOMINSTER, Mass. - The Wachusett Dirt Dawgs have been a threat for the long ball all season, and with four home runs against the Worcester Bravehearts on July 31 on Doyle Field in Leominster, Mass., Wachusett is slowly climbing back into the Futures Collegiate Baseball League Western Division race.

Thanks to a solo home run by Wachusett catcher Michael Rizzitello in the 12th inning, the Dirt Dawgs beat the Bravehearts 7-6, finishing the eight-game season series even at 4-4.

Despite tying the game 6-6 in the ninth inning, Bravehearts reliever Anthony Perry allowed the 12th inning home run to Rizzitello, which gave him his first loss of the season.

Wachusett jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with a 2-run blast by first baseman Mike Corin in the first inning. Corin, who leads the league with 13 home runs, finished 2-3 with 2 RBI. Center fielder Kurtis White helped open the lead with a solo home run in the third inning and finished 3-6 with 3 RBI.

Worcester right fielder Nate Pajka helped close the gap in the third inning, as he hit an RBI double as part of a 3-run inning for the visitors. Pajka then belted a solo home run in the fifth inning to make it a 6-4 ball game. The Douglas, Mass., native finished 4-6 at the plate with 3 RBI.

Shortstop Darian Ramage, third baseman Mark DeYoung and second baseman Dylan Harris all recorded two hits in the game as part of 13 hits combined for the Bravehearts.

Both starting pitchers struggled in the matchup, as Bravehearts starter Evan Devico went only 3.2 innings with six runs on six hits and five walks. Leominster native Steve Colella pitched six innings but gave up four runs on 11 hits while striking out five.

Bravehearts pitchers Ian Strom, Sean Gustin and Josh Desai pitched 7.1 innings of scoreless relief combined, giving up only three hits and three walks all together.

After Dirt Dawgs reliever Matthew Ferraiolo blew the save in the ninth inning, Wachusett reliever Jason Harper retired nine straight batters and struck out six to record his first win of the season.

The 27-21 Bravehearts will try to bounce back when they take on the Seacoast Mavericks at 6:35 p.m. Aug. 1 on Leary Field in Portsmouth, N.H.

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