Baseball Splits Pair of Contests on Saturday

The Central Connecticut baseball team split a pair of contests on Saturday in Baton Rouge, LA. The Blue Devils rebounded from a 26-4 setback to nationally-ranked #1 LSU in the first game of the day and downed Butler, 3-1, in the nightcap. Anthony Mozzicato tossed 6.0 strong innings in game two to help CCSU earn a split.

The Blue Devils play #1-ranked LSU on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. to close out the weekend.

GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE
Score: CCSU 4, #1 LSU 26 (7 innings)
Pitching Record: W: Floyd (2-0) | L: Reyes (0-1) | Sv: - -
Records: CCSU (1-1), LSU (9-1)
Location: Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field | Baton Rouge, LA

KEY MOMENTS

• Joe Rios would give Central a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with his second homerun in as many games.
• LSU would record three straight extra-base hits, including a two-run homerun, in the bottom of the first and plate three runs. The Tigers would go on to score in each inning, including a seven-run sixth.
• The Blue Devils got back-to-back singles from Danny Rogers and Aidan Redahan to open the seventh inning. A walk to Robert Chesney would load the bases before Elliot Good worked a base-on-balls to bring in a run and Brady Short hit an RBI-groundout to close the scoring.

NOTES

• Randy Reyes started on the mound for CCSU and was credited with the loss. Tim Buchek and Jack Kelley each tossed 1.2 innings in relief.
• Rios hit his second home run in as many games for the Blue Devils.
• Rogers, Redahan, Ramon Jimenez and Josh Taylor each singled in the game.

GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE
Score: CCSU 3, Butler 1
Pitching Record: W: Mozzicato (1-0) | L:Voss (0-1) | Sv: Garofalo (2)
Records: CCSU (1-1), Butler (2-8)
Location: Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field | Baton Rouge, LA

KEY MOMENTS

• Anthony Mozzicato started for the Blue Devils and tossed XXX solid innings. The lone blemish came in the bottom of the third when Butler took advantage of a two-out single and Carter Dorighi tripled to drive in a run. The Bulldogs would threaten in the fifth, loading the bases, but Mozzicato got an inning-ending fly ball.
• Central managed to tie the game in the top of the fifth when Hunter Pasqualini hit a two-out solo home run to right centerfield to make it 1-1.
• The Blue Devils manufactured a run in the top of the sixth to take the lead. Dan Hussey drew a leadoff walk. He moved to second on a ground out and then came around to score on a single by Jimmy Sullivan to make it 2-1.
• CCSU added an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Short led off with a walk and stole second base before moving to third on a groundout. Kyle Gordon delivered a one-out single to drive in a run and make it 3-1.
• Nic Benhardt and Luke Garofalo threw 3.0 innings of shutout relief, allowing just one hit and recording three strikeouts.

NOTES

• Pasqualini's home run was the fifth of his career. It was the Blue Devils' sixth of the season as they have hit at least one in each game of the season thus far.
• Mozzicato scattered six hits over 6.0 innings of work. He allowed just one run, while walking two and striking out five.
• Benhardt threw 2.0 innings in his first appearance for CCSU. He allowed one hit and struck out one.
• Garofalo picked up his second save of the season and struck out two batters.
• CCSU collected a season-high 10 hits in the win. Rios and Gordon each had two singles, while Dan Haughey added a single and double.

UP NEXT

The Blue Devils play #1-ranked LSU on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and then face Butler at 7:30 p.m.