Baseball Falls 4-3 on Run in the Ninth

The Central Connecticut baseball team tied the score in the top of the ninth inning, only to see Navy win on Saturday afternoon 4-3 with a single run in the game's final inning. 

Senior Danny Hickey tied the game 3-3 in the top of the ninth, but Navy answered with a single run in the bottom of the inning to drop the Blue Devils to 0-3 this season.

Junior Tyler McIntyre had a pair of hits and a run batted in for the Blue Devils.

The two teams will play another single game on Sunday beginning at 10 a.m.

The Blue Devils got on the board first with a single run in the second inning.  Sophomore J.P. Sportman doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on an RBI groundout from McIntyre.

The lead reached 2-0 in the fifth inning on an RBI from junior Nick Palmisano.  Junior Mike Washburn singled to lead off the inning and went to third on a double from McIntyre.  Palmisano came to the plate with the bases loaded and a run scored on a fielder's choice.

Navy scored a single unearned run in the bottom of the fifth, and then took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

All three runs came of Central starter Jack Greenhouse.  Greenhouse, who missed all of last season with an injury, pitched 5.1 innings allowing five hits, three runs (two earned) and he struck out seven Navy batters.

Senior Danny Hickey drove in the third run of the game for the Blue Devils to tie the score at 3-3 in the top of the ninth inning.  With one out Washburn walked, and then went to second on a wild pitch with two outs in the inning.  Hickey's single scored the third run and tied the score.

Freshman Casey Brown pitched 3.0 innings and allowed just one hit for CCSU.  He struck out five, but picked up the loss in his first collegiate action for the Blue Devils.  He struck out the first batter of the ninth, but then walked a batter and allowed his first hit to put runners at first and third. 

Sophomore Josh Ingham entered the game and forced a ground ball.  The Blue Devils tried to turn two, but the runner at first was safe and the winning run scored.

The Blue Devils and Navy will play another single game on Sunday beginning at 10 a.m.