Starfires Director of Operations Evan Moorhouse works to cover the pitcher’s mound during a rain delay at Wednesday’s Futures Collegiate Baseball League game. (MARC ST.ONGE / THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
WESTFIELD – The much-anticipated, unofficial three-game series between the Westfield Starfires and league-leading Worcester Bravehearts, of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League is awash with intrigue.
On Wednesday night, the first of three games in three days between the two teams was washed out. No make-up date was scheduled.
The two teams are slated to meet at Doyle Field in Worcester Thurs., July 22 and Fri., July 23. Game time is 6 p.m.
Worcester (9-5) stymied Westfield (7-7) in the teams’ first three meetings of the 2020 season.
On opening day, Worcester clubbed three solo home runs – – one each from lead-off batter Mariano Ricciardi (Dayton), No. 2 batter E.J. Exposito (NYIT), and clean-up hitter Ben Rice (Dartmouth) en route to a 3-1 win over Westfield.
Worcester also ended Westfield’s three-game win streak, defeating the Starfires 3-2 on July 14. Exposito delivered the big hit in the game, a two-run home run.
One day later, Worcester slipped past Westfield again by a 3-2 score. The Bravehearts launched another two-run homer, this one coming from Aidan Wilde (Stonehill).
“Worcester for some reason has our number,” Westfield Starfires head coach/field manager Tony Deshler said. “We’re evenly matched. You would think we are due for a win against them.”
Diehard baseball fans wait out a downpour at Bullens Field Wednesday night. (MARC ST.ONGE / THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
