Baseball Eliminated From NEC Tournament by Fairleigh Dickinson

The Central Connecticut baseball team was eliminated from the Northeast Conference Tournament with a 2-0 loss to Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday afternoon at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, CT. A pair of runs were enough to lift the Knights past the Blue Devils in a low-scoring contest to open the day's play.

The Knights pushed a run across in the top of the fourth to take the early lead. Dylan Sprague and Matt McCann led off with back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners. Sprague came into score after John Giakas grounded into a double-play to make it 1-0.

The Blue Devils had their first scoring opportunity in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore Dean Lockery hit a double to left field with one out and moved to third on a single by junior Andrew Hinckley. The Knights were able to work out of the jam with a ground out on a bunt and a fly out.

FDU added a run in the top of the seventh. Ryan Brennan led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice. After a pinch-hit single by Evan McDonald moved him to third, Bobby Romano drove him in with a single to left to make it 2-0.

In the bottom of the eighth freshman David Balunek hit a pinch-hit single and sophomore Mitch Guilmette walked to put men on first and second to lead off for CCSU. The Knights were able to force a pair of fly outs and get an inning-ending strikeout to keep the Blue Devils off the board.

The Blue Devils tried to rally in the ninth with a single by senior Connor Fitzsimons and a bunt single by junior Franklin Jennings to put runners on first and second with one out. Senior Matt Martinez hit a grounder to shortstop who got the force out at second base. The umpire called interference on the play, which resulted in Martinez also being called out at first base to end the game.

Freshman Mike Appel started for CCSU and went 6.1 innings. He struck out two batters and walked two, while scattering five hits. Senior Casey Brown threw the final 2.2 innings in relief and struck out two and allowed four hits. 

Fitzsimons had two hits for Central and had five hits in two NEC Tournament games. Lockery, Hinckley, Jennings, Martinez and Balunek each had a hit for the Blue Devils 

Corey Zeller threw 7.1 innings for FDU and allowed just five hits to get the win. He walked two and struck out three batters. Brennan got the final four outs to earn the save. He allowed two hits and recorded a strikeout.

Sprague, Brennan and Romano each had two hits to lead the Knights at the plate. 

The Blue Devils' season ends with a 23-34 overall record.