LYNN – The North Shore Navigators could not get a second consecutive playoff win in their game at Fraser Field on Monday evening. The Worcester Bravehearts opened the first game of a best-of-three series with a 5-1 victory that was an absolute pitcher’s duel from the start.
For the Navigators, Jake Dexter (Southern Maine) got the start and he was spectacular in his effort. Dexter worked seven innings on the night and only allowed a single run to the Bravehearts. He managed to strike out two batters and was able to induce a lot of weak ground balls that helped his cause. He pitched to his strengths and kept the Navigators alive for most of the contest.
The Bravehearts’ starter, Frankie Moscatiello of St. Thomas Aquinas, was just as good as Dexter on the night. He worked 7 1/3 innings and managed to strike out a whopping 11 Navigators batters. He looked powerful and only allowed one run during the two hour affair.
The lone run of the day for the Navigators came in the fourth inning when the team was finally able to break through against Moscatiello. Joey Pena, Moscatiello’s St. Thomas Aquinas teammate, cracked a single to right field that was followed up by a long MacDaniel Singleton (Salem State University) single.
This put runners on the corners for Mike D’Acunti (Southeastern University). He ended up coming through with a double down the right field line that brought Pena in to score. At the time, this tied the game and gave the Navigators new life in the game.
Unfortunately, down the stretch the Navigators just could not keep pace with the Bravehearts. They allowed a few runs and could not get any of their own and as a result, they dropped the series opener 5-1.
The Navigators and the Bravehearts will be back in action on Tuesday night for the second game of their series in Worcester. First pitch will be scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
NS Navigators Beat @NSNavsBeat
In the meantime, this could be my last post-game “sign off” of the season from Fraser Field. Lights out…
