Baseball Holds Off Siena, 6-4

The Central Connecticut baseball team picked up a 6-4 win at Siena on Tuesday afternoon at Siena Field. The Blue Devils built a five-run lead and held off the Saints' ninth-inning rally to improve to 12-19 on the season.

The loss dropped Siena to 12-20 overall.

The Blue Devils surrendered a run in the first inning, but took the lead with six runs during the fifth and sixth innings. Siena starter Rick Morales held Central to one hit over the first four innings, but CCSU took the lead in the top of the fifth. Freshman Mike Arman led off with a walk and classmate Nick Garland reached on an infield single and a throwing error allowed them to move to second and third base. Junior Ian Glassman drove them in with a single to left center to make it 2-1.

Central padded its lead with four more runs in the top of the sixth. Freshman Dean Lockery singled and stole second base to lead off. A single by senior Dominic Severino put runners on the corners, before junior Corey Lerche was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. Following a pitching change, Arman and classmate Mitch Guilmette each drew walks to bring in two runs and make it 4-1. Glassman delivered a one-out single to right center bringing home two more runs to make it 6-1.

The Blue Devils' pitchers combined to hold Siena to just six hits and a single run over the first eight innings. The Saints tried to rally in the bottom of the ninth when the first two batters reached on walks and Phil Madonna singled home a run. A single by Brett Connors and double by Yahriel Jimenez brought home two more runs to make it 6-4 with runners on second and third with no outs.

Sophomore Matt Blandino struck out the next batter and after an intentional walk loaded the bases he retired the next two batters to end the rally and close out the win for Central.

Glassman accounted for two of CCSU's seven hits and drove in four runs on the day. Sophomore Austin Salnitis started the game and finished with a line of 4.0 innings, one run allowed on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Sophomore Kevin Connolly was credited with the win after throwing 2.0 scoreless innings and allowing just one hit with three strikeouts.

Jordan Bishop had two hits for Siena. Morales took the loss after allowing five runs on five hits in 5.0 innings of work. He struck out six and walked just one.

Central Connecticut returns home to host Stony Brook on Wednesday, April 22, at 3 p.m. on CCSU Baseball Field.