FCBL Roundup: Worcester rolls past Torrington; Wachusett falls to North Shore

Bravehearts 11, Titans 1: Worcester scored seven runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by Ian Strom's RBI double, a two-run single from Gavin Tristan and a grand slam from Alex Sanchez as visiting Worcester romped past Torrington. 

With the win, Bristol sweeping Pittsfield and Wachusett's loss to North Shore, the Bravehearts are a half-game behind the Suns for the eighth and final spot in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League playoffs with three games to play. Worcester hosts the Titans in its home finale at 7 p.m. Friday before road games against Nashua and Bristol.

Auburn's Zach Tower was 3 for 3 with a home run and a double, while Strom was 2 for 4, Sanchez was 2 for 4 with two homers and Tristan was 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs for the Bravehearts.

Dylann Collett improved to 4-2 after scattering five hits over six scoreless innings for Worcester. Austin Cave relieved him and gave up one run on two hits over two innings before former Doherty High star Luke Brennan struck out one, while working a hitless ninth.

Worcester took a 2-0 lead in the first when Strom led off with a double and scored on a wild pitch. Tower then smacked his 13th homer of the season to make it 2-0. Sanchez added a two-run shot in the sixth to make it 11-0.

Navigators 4, Dirt Dawgs 3: Wachusett scored twice in the top of ninth and had the bases loaded with one out, but North Shore's Speros Varinos got Max DiTondo to line to second and Justin Brock to ground to second to preserve the win.

Former St. John's standout P.J. Browne gave up four runs (2 earned) on seven hits over six innings while fanning four for the Dirt Dawgs. Wachusett took advantage of two errors in the top of the ninth to rally, as Chris Chiaradio (2 hits) scored on an error and Eric Hassel scored on Tyler Hudson's fielder's choice. Hudson also had a double and Justin Brock had two hits and scored for Wachusett.