Tri's Ninth Inning Home Run Caps Six-Run Frame as CCSU Tops George Washington

Central Connecticut scored six runs in the ninth inning, including a three-run home run by junior Richie Tri, to come from behind and beat George Washington 11-7 on Sunday. CCSU trailed 7-5 heading into the ninth but the six runs, the most in any inning by CCSU this season, gave them the win against the Colonials. With the win CCSU improves to 4-3 this season. They had dropped the previous two games at George Washington to start the weekend.

The home team struck first with a single run in the second inning off of Blue Devil starting pitcher Derek Roberts.

Central Connecticut answered with two runs in the top of the third inning to take a 2-1 lead. Roy Natoli singled to lead off the inning and went to third on a double from Sean Allaire. Both runners scored when junior Anthony Scialdone reached on an error by the first baseman, giving CCSU the one-run lead.

The lead reached 3-1 in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly from sophomore Pat Epps. Allaire had doubled to lead off the inning and scored on the sac fly.

George Washington scored a single run in the bottom of the fifth inning and then plated four more in the bottom of the seventh to take a 6-3 lead. Roberts left the game after pitching six innings and allowing seven hits, five runs, four of them earned, while striking out one and walking three.

The Blue Devils cut the lead to one with two runs in the top of the eighth inning. Both of the runs were unearned following a fielding error. With two outs in the inning Tri walked and senior Jay Schillaci, who had reached on the error, went to second. Senior Sean Parker singled, scoring Schillaci, and was followed by a double from senior Sean Connors. The double scored Tri but Parker was thrown out at the plate trying to score the tying run, and ending the inning.

After George Washington scored a single run in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Blue Devils scored six in the top of the ninth to open up an 11-7 lead.

Epps walked with the bases loaded for his second RBI of the game followed by an RBI single by junior Tommy Meade. On Meade's single the outfielder committed an error allowing an additional run to score, making it 8-7. Tri followed that up with his first home run of the season, a three-run shot, to give the Blue Devils the 11-7 advantage.

Tri ended the game driving in three runs, all on the ninth inning home run. Epps drove in two and Allaire had two hits and scored three times in the win.

Chris Chagnon picked up the win on the mound for CCSU pitching 1.2 innings and allowing just one hit and striking out three.