Seven Runs in Final Two Innings Lead Blue Devils to Win Over Indiana on Saturday in Winter Haven

The Central Connecticut baseball team began its southern trip to Winter Haven, FL, with a 12-9 late inning victory over Indiana on Saturday. CCSU scored seven runs in the final two innings to turn a 9-5 deficit into a three-run victory. Sophomore Pat Epps drove in three runs in the win. CCSU continues its trip with three more games. They will face Illinois in a three-game series, beginning on Sunday. They will also play on Monday and Tuesday against the Illini.

The Blue Devils struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Sean Allaire and Anthony Scialdone led off the game with a single and double respectively and then scored the two runs. Allaire scored on an RBI ground out by senior Casey Walko and Scialdone scored on an RBI ground out by Epps.

The Hoosiers put up three runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 3-2 lead.

Indiana took a 4-2 lead with a single run in the bottom of the fourth inning, but the Blue Devils responded and scored three in the top of the fifth to take a 5-4 lead. Scialdone singled in a run with the bases loaded to cut the deficit to one. Then Epps singled through the left side score two more runs and giving the Blue Devils the one run edge.

Three more runs in the bottom of the fifth gave the Hoosiers back the lead, 7-5, and chased CCSU starter Taylor Kosakowski from the game. He finished his outing pitching four innings and allowing seven hits, six runs, all earned, while striking a pair and walking two. Blue Devil reliever Dan Markoya allowed the third run of the inning.

Single runs in the sixth and seventh innings moved the Hoosier lead to 9-5.

Five runs in the top of the eighth for Central Connecticut gave them a 10-9 lead. Junior Tommy Meade doubled to lead off the inning and went to third on a single by senior Jay Schillaci. Meade scored and Schillaci went to third on a wild pitch. Mitch Wells walked and senior Sean Parker doubled to plate two more runs and cut the Hoosier lead to one. Allaire singled in a run and, following a double by Scialdone, scored on a wild pitch to give CCSU the 10-9 lead.

Two more runs in the top of the ninth inning moved the Blue Devil lead to 12-9. Wells and Schillaci each drove in a run in the inning for the Blue Devils.

Epps led the offense with his three RBI while Parker drove in a pair. Allaire and Scialdone each had four hits in the victory. Allaire scored three times while Meade, Schillaci and Parker each scored twice.

Chris Chagnon picked up the win on the mound pitching the final two innings and allowing just two hits.

The Blue Devils continue their trip in Florida and will face Illinois in a three-game series beginning on Sunday.