The Worcester Bravehearts had plenty of power in the Futures League Home Run Derby as part of the all-star festivities on Monday.
WORCESTER — Jackson Marshall put his best barrel forward.
And while the defending champion was eliminated in the semifinals of the Futures League Home Run Derby on July 21, the overall experience at Fitton Field was a grand slam for the Worcester Bravehearts’ mammoth slugger.
“It was super fun getting to compete against one of the guys I’m going to be playing with,” Marshall said. “One of the guys in the finals, (Norwich’s) Bryce Detwiler, I’m playing with him at UConn next year.
“It was awesome to experience that and play against everyone today. So, yeah, it was a great time.”
Detwiler hit five home runs in the final, or four less than Westfield’s Griffin Enis, an incoming freshman at the University of Virginia who belted 27 bombs over the three rounds.
The 6-foot-8, 260-pound Marshall and 14 of his Braveheart teammates will take part in the All-Star Game at 7:30 p.m. on July 22 at Polar Park. The game will be broadcast live on NESN+ with replays shown on NESN.
“It’s awesome,” Marshall said. “I’m really excited to be out there. I start my day off here tomorrow and then I’ll move over there, and it'll be a fun time.”
Marshall, who is suiting up for the Bravehearts for the second straight summer, hails from Hooksett, New Hampshire, and was a first-team all-state selection in both basketball and baseball as a senior at Pinkerton Academy in 2024.
While he doesn’t hoop it up anymore, one of Marshall’s fondest memories was finally beating his dad one-on-one as a junior not long after scoring his 1,000th career point.
That was a memorable milestone moment as Dan Marshall, who checks in at 6-10, was a three-year captain at Assumption, from which he graduated in 1996.
“Junior year I finally got him,” Jackson Marshall said. “It was great. He had beaten me my whole life and I was finally able to compete because I was around the same size as him. So I was able to get there.”
While Assumption pursued Marshall, he ultimately decided to continue his baseball career at Southern New Hampshire University. He tore it up for the Penmen this spring, hitting 15 homers while on his way to being a second team All-Northeast 10 Conference selection.
Marshall, who entered the transfer portal and signed with UConn in early June, has remained hotter than a habanero at the plate this summer.
The big first baseman is batting .320 and leads the Futures League in runs batted in (39), doubles (15) and hit by pitches (13). He’s second in home runs (8), tied for second in runs (34), fourth in hits (48), and tied for six in walks (20).
“Every time he steps up to the plate he has a serious chance to do some damage,” first-year manager Luke Beckstein said. “I’m always excited to see him walking up.
“I think he has a good approach and he’s always competitive at bat, so I’m really happy he’s on our team.”
As a team, the Bravehearts are 34-12 and in first place in the Futures League. They appear a lock to return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.
“Everyone is really playing to try to get there and finish out the summer strong, so that should be good,” Marshall said. “It’s a great group of guys. We’ve won so many games, probably more than we should have, so it’s been good.”
The Bravehearts were also represented in the Home Run Derby by Cole Hambly.
The Cranston, Rhode Island, resident graduated from Worcester Academy in June and joined the Bravehearts on July 15.
“Fresh new faces,” Hambly said. “I played baseball at Worcester Academy for two years, so this is definitely a familiar area for me. These guys are awesome.
“I was happy to join the team and obviously super excited to be here at the Home Run Derby.”
Hambly, who’ll continue his baseball career at Siena, led off the Derby and hit four homers in the opening round, leaving him one shy of taking part in a swing off to see who would nab the final semifinal spot.
The first baseman/designated hitter was a late replacement to represent the Bravehearts after Jaylem Sepulveda opted out to ensure he didn’t mess with his swing and Chris Mondesir, who has five homers this summer, got hurt a couple games ago.
“Coach (Beckstein) just texted me and said, ‘By the way, you’re doing the Derby,’ ” Hambly said. “I was like, ‘OK, why not.’
“Hitting home runs is my thing, so might as well just do the Derby. I enjoy these things.”
Hambly took part in the A Shot For Life Home Run Derby and Pitchers Challenge in September in Northborough.
The Bravehearts are certainly glad to have him on board.
“He’s been nothing but positivity since joining the team,” Beckstein said. “He knows the situation he’s in with some guys ahead of him. I’ve called him in some uncomfortable spots and he’s been able to step up and do some things that we’re happy to see him able to do and produce.
“He’s going to be a part of this offense going forward for the rest of the season for sure..”
Hambly is batting .429 (3 of 7) in five games.
—Contact Rich Garven at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @RichGarven.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Marshall, Hambly make mark for Bravehearts in Futures League Home Run Derby
Category: General Sports
