Four-Run Seventh Inning Leads Blue Devils to Win at Fairfield on Tuesday Afternoon

The Central Connecticut baseball team scored four runs in the seventh inning on its way to a 5-4 non-conference victory at Fairfield on Tuesday afternoon. With the win the Blue Devils improve to 12-8 overall this season. They return to action on Thursday night hosting Sacred Heart in a Northeast Conference game at 7 p.m. at Beehive Field in New Britain.

The Stags got a run in the bottom of the first inning before the Blue Devils posted a run in the second to tie the game at 1-1. For the Blue Devils junior Kyle Zarotney's sacrifice fly to center field scored junior Tommy Meade and tie the score.

Fairfield added a run in the fourth and another in the sixth to take a 3-1 lead.

Freshman Mitch Wells was hit by a pitch to lead off the seventh inning for the Blue Devils and went to second on a walk to junior Sean Allaire. After a sacrifice bunt by senior Casey Walko, junior Anthony Scialdone doubled down the right field line to score both runners, and give the Blue Devils a 3-2 lead. Scialdone scored on a double to right by sophomore Pat Epps. Senior Sean Connors reached on an error and following a walk to junior Richie Tri, Meade hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score the fourth run of the inning.

Fairfield added a run in the seventh inning off of reliever Wes Poppe. Poppe picked up his first collegiate victory in the game for the Blue Devils pitching 2.1 innings and allowing two runs on four hits.

In the eighth inning the Stags put runners on first and third with one out but reliever Donny White entered the game and forced a double play to end the threat. He pitched the final 1.2 innings to earn his first save of the season.

Freshman pitcher Nate Sturgis, pitching in his first collegiate game for the Blue Devils, pitched the first three innings. He allowed one run on just two hits and he struck out one. Jack Greenhouse came in to pitch two innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out two.

The Blue Devils return to action on Thursday night at 7 p.m. as they host Sacred Heart in a single nine-inning game at Beehive Field in downtown New Britain. The game is the first of a four-game set with the Pioneers. The teams will also play a single game on Friday at noon followed by a doubleheader on Saturday at noon.