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FCBL Worcester Bravehearts

New Britain Stuns Worcester 5-4

June 24, 2022 - Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL)
Worcester Bravehearts News Release


New Britain, CT - Looking to end a 4-game losing streak, the Bravehearts thought they had what they needed to get back into the win column until the New Britain Bees rallied for 3 runs in the 8th inning, stunning Worcester 5-4 on Friday night.

With two outs and two runners on in the bottom of the 8th inning, one of New Britain's leading hitters, Joel Lara (Franklin Pierce), launched a fly ball to deep center field. Worcester outfielder Matty Warren (Palm Beach Atlantic) appeared to have a track on the ball, but the ball ricocheted off his glove on the warning track and fell to the ground, scoring two runs. The double came off of Bravehearts reliever Sean Scanlon (Holy Cross), who suffered his second loss of the year.

The Bravehearts threatened with two outs in the 9th, but New Britain closer Emmett Tolis (Fairfield) was able to strike out David Pedanou (Dayton), stranding two runners on base. In all, Worcester left 10 runners on base while New Britain stranded just one.

The Bravehearts knocked the ball around in the first three innings against New Britain starter, Chris Gibbs (Mitchell College) as 5 of their first 6 hits went for extra bases. Lewis Barnum (Bryant University) provided one of those extra base hits in the top of the 3rd inning, launching a 2-run homer over the left field fence to give the Bravehearts a 3-1 lead. The home run was the first for Worcester since June 14.

Barnum went 2 for 4 on the night, adding a double in the 5th and scoring on a solid single up the middle by Whitinsville's Matt Livingston (Siena College). He was also robbed of extra bases in the first inning when New Britain's Zach Donahue (Eastern Connecticut) made a diving grab and fired across the diamond to catch him at first.

Worcester starter Tanner Smith (Harvard) settled down after surrendering a solo home run to Ryan Daniels (UConn) in the 2nd inning and allowing a single run in the 3rd. He pitched to contact all night, didn't walk a batter, struck out 2 and allowed just 4 hits over 7 innings while throwing just 81 pitches.

Chris Benton (Holy Cross) got the win for the Bees, pitching a scoreless 8th inning.

The loss is the 5th in a row for the Bravehearts and evens their record at 12-12. New Britain improves to 14-11 and has now beaten the Bravehearts three times in a week. Worcester has held the lead in all three games, only to lose it in the late innings.

Worcester closes out their 6-game road trip on Saturday night in Norwich. Game time is 6:30. The Bravehearts will return home on Sunday, June 26 at 4:00 PM against the Brockton Rox.

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