Baseball Sweeps Merrimack in Saturday Doubleheader

April 10, 2021

The Central Connecticut baseball team swept a doubleheader for the second time this season with a pair of wins over Merrimack on Saturday at CCSU Baseball Field. The Blue Devils also won their fourth Northeast Conference series of the season taking two out of three contests from the Warriors.

The Blue Devils open a three-game series at LIU beginning Friday, April 16.

GAME INFORMATION
BOX SCORE - Game 1: CCSU 6, Merrimack 3
Pitching Record: W: Fox (3-2) | L: Sorenson (4-2) | Sv: Neuman (4)

BOX SCORE - Game 2: CCSU 11, Merrimack 3
Pitching Record: W: Mozzicato (2-1) | L: Villella (0-2) | Sv: - -

Records: CCSU (12-6, 9-5 NEC), MC (9-13, 5-7 NEC)
Location: CCSU Baseball Field | New Britain, CT

KEY MOMENTS (Game 1)

Sophomore Dan Covino doubled home freshman Hunter Pasqualini in the third inning to tie the game 1-1.
After Merrimack scored a run in the fourth, CCSU would answer with five runs across the sixth and seventh innings. Freshman Noah Martinez hit his second homerun of the weekend with a two-run shot in the sixth to make it 3-2. In the seventh, Covino hit a sac fly to score a run and freshman Jeff Nicol delivered a bases-loaded single to score a pair and make it 6-2.
Merrimack had an RBI single with no outs in the eighth, before sophomore Tim Buchek came on and recorded a pair of strikeouts to end the threat. Freshman Jake Neuman came on in the ninth to record his fourth save of the campaign.

KEY MOMENTS (Game 2)

After Merrimack hit a two-run homerun in the top of the fourth to take a lead, CCSU came back in the bottom of the inning to score twice. Senior Dave Matthews drew a bases loaded walk to bring in the first run and junior Sam Loda followed with a sacrifice fly to plate a run and tie the game, 2-2.
The Warriors scored an unearned run in the sixth to take a 3-2 lead before CCSU responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Central loaded the bases with one out and Loda hit his second sac fly of the game to tie it. Freshman Michael Torniero followed with a single to drive in a run and make it 4-3. With two outs and the bases loaded, sophomore Dylan Sanchez delivered a pinch-hit single to left field to drive in two runs and make it 6-3.
Central broke the game open with five runs in the seventh. The first five batters reached safely, with Nicol and Loda each delivering RBI singles. Torniero would follow with a sac fly before a bases loaded walk to junior Matt Bertochi scored a run and a RBI groundout by Covino would close the scoring.

NUMBER TO KNOW

10 - Central drew 10 base on balls in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader. CCSU pitchers allowed just eight walks combined in both games of the double dip.

NOTES

Covino had three hits in the doubleheader. He went 2-for-5 with four RBIs and two runs in the second game.
Senior Brandon Fox won his second straight start. He went 7.0 innings and allowed three runs, while scattering five hits and six walks. He struck out three.
Freshman Anthony Mozzicato started and tossed 6.0 innings for the win in game two. He allowed two earned runs on five hits, while walking one and striking out three.
The CCSU bullpen combined to throw 5.0 innings, allowing two hits, one walk and striking out four. Neuman tossed 2.0 scoreless innings and closed out both games.
Central took advantage of 10 walks in the second game. CCSU had just seven hits, one for extra bases, while driving in 11 runs.
Covino, Nicol and Martinez each drove in two runs in the first game.
Pasqualini went 3-for-4 in game one, his second straight multi-hit game.
Covino was 2-for-4 in game one and has multiple hits in three of the last four games.
Loda had three RBIs in game two, while Torniero and Sanchez drove in a pair.
Devito, Martinez, Nicol and Matthews each scored two runs.
Martinez hit his third homerun and has 16 RBIs, both second on the team. Covino leads the sqquad with four homeruns and 20 RBIs

UP NEXT

The Blue Devils open a three-game series at LIU beginning Friday, April 16.