Pat Epps Hits Walk Off Homer and Sets Single-Season School Record

Junior Pat Epps hit a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Central Connecticut State University a 2-1 victory in New Britain on Friday afternoon over Long Island. Epps set a new single season home run mark with the home run, his 17th of the season. The win gets the Blue Devils a spot in next week's Northeast Conference Tournament beginning on Thursday. They are now 27-19 overall and 16-13 in league action. Central and the Blackbirds will play a doubleheader on Saturday at noon.

The Blackbirds struck first with a single run in the top of the first inning. Greg Desantis singled to drive in Sam Sciamarelli who had doubled with one out. With men on first and third and one out Blue Devil starter Dave Krasnowiecki picked off a runner at first base to end the threat.

The Blue Devils were held scoreless for the first seven innings. Sophomore Danny Hickey broke through for Central with his third home run of the season to lead off the eighth inning, tying the score at 1-1.

Epps' home run in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Blue Devils the victory. He now has 17 on the season.

Krasnowiecki pitched six innings, allowing five hits and only one earned run in the game. He struck out three batters and after the first inning allowed only two hits and retired 15 of the final 20 batters he faced. He walked two and hit one batter.

Freshman pitcher Nick Neumann pitched two scoreless innings of relief in the seventh and eighth innings. Senior lefty Donny White picked up the win by pitching a scoreless ninth. He is now 3-1 on the season.

The Blue Devils and Blackbirds will be in action again on Saturday beginning at 12 p.m. The doubleheader was originally scheduled for 1 p.m.