Vermont Drops Roadtrip Finale Saturday
WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Bravehearts scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning, 10 runs over the first three frames and then scored three times in the bottom of the seventh for a 15-5 Futures League 10-run rule victory over the Vermont Lake Monsters Saturday night at Fitton Field.
After walk and double play to start the bottom of the first, nine straight Bravehearts reached on three hits, five walks and a bases loaded hit batter. The three hits were an RBI single, two-run double and two-run single. Worcester added an RBI single in second, then an RBI double and two-run homer in the third for a 10-1 lead.
Zach Geertsma (Mississippi State) hit a solo homer in the second, his team-leading fifth home run for Vermont this season. The Lake Monsters added three runs in the sixth including RBI singles from Jake Dunlap (Catawba) and Travis Stroh (CVU/Dayton). Dunlap., who went 4-for-4 with a run scored, added another RBI single in the seventh to cut the deficit to 12-5.
Worcester got a run in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI groundout for the second out of the inning, but then were able to walkoff with the victory after a hit batter, two walks, run-scoring wild pitch and an RBI single to end the game.
MONSTER STARS
* Dunlap 4-for-4, R, 2 RBI
* Geertsma 1-for-3, BB, 2 R, HR, RBI
* Skylar Platt (Harwood/Middlebury) 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO
MONSTER HIGHLIGHTS
* 1st time this season that Vermont has lost 2 straight on the road (15-10 in road games)
* Vermont is 35-14 overall, including 17-4 in July, and lead New Britain by 6 games with 11 remaining
* 2nd 4-hit game of season for Dunlap (6/29 at Lowell), who entered game in 1-for-20 slump
* Geertsma is just 6th FCBL Lake Monster to hit at least 5 HR in a season (Brian Schuab 6 and Shaun McMillan 11)
* Just 2nd time in 6-year FCBL history that Vermont has lost 10-run rule game (12-2 loss on July 26, 2021 at Brockton), while Lake Monsters have 16 “mercy rule” wins all-time
* All 6 Vermont pitchers charged with at least 1 run and combined for 12 walks and just 1 strikeout+
* 1st time Lake Monsters have allowed 15+ runs since July 6, 2024 (16-13 loss to Westfield) and 1st time on road since 15-11 loss at Pittsfield August 5, 2021
* Vermont, which is 20-4 at home including 11 straight wins, play 10 of final 11 games at Centennial
UPCOMING
Next Game: Monday vs. Westfield, 6:35pm
Promotion: 25-cent Hot Dog Hysteria
Broadcast: WYCI (TV), FCBLnetwork.com (streaming), WJOY 1230am (radio)