Baseball Drops Series Finale to Sacred Heart in 11 Innings Saturday

The Central Connecticut baseball team dropped the Northeast Conference series finale to Sacred Heart, 10-7, in 11 innings on Saturday in New Britain, CT.  The Blue Devils rallied twice to tie the game in the ninth and 10^th innings before the Pioneers were finally able to win.

Central returns to action on Monday when it plays UConn at Dunkin' Park at 4:00 p.m.

GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE
Score: CCSU 7, Sacred Heart 10 (11 innings)
Pitching Record: W: Hawkins (3-1) | L: Reyes (0-2) | Sv: - -
Records: CCSU (17-6, 13-2 NEC), SHU (14-14, 9-6 NEC)
Location: CCSU Baseball Field | New Britain, CT

KEY MOMENTS

• Central got on the board in the second after loading the bases with two outs. Brady Short would draw another walk to force in the first run, but the Blue Devils were unable to do further damage and left the bags packed.
• Sacred Heart was held hitless for 3.1 innings, until Zack Kovalchik hit a ground rule double in the top of the fourth. Sam Mongelli followed with a homerun to left to put the Pioneers ahead, 2-1.
• The Blue Devils would not trail for long and came back with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Danny Rogers was hit by a pitch to lead off and moved to third after Michael Torniero doubled down the line in left. Elliot Good would single on a bunt to bring in a run and tie the score before Short followed with a single to make to make it 3-2.
• SHU strung together three straight singles in the top of the seventh, with Dante D'Amore driving in the tying run and forcing CCSU to go to its bullpen. With two outs and runners on the corners, Mark Smith poked a single into left field to make it 4-3.
• With two outs in the ninth inning, Dan Hussey reached on an error and scooted to second. Hunter Pasqualini made the most of the opportunity, following with a single to drive in the tying run and force extra innings.
• The Pioneers would score two runs in the top of the 10^th on a single by D'Amore. In the bottom of the 10^th, Derek Haughey led off with a walk before Danny Rogers followed with his second homer in as many days to tie the game at 6-6.
• SHU took advantage of a CCSU error in the top of the 11^th and would load the bases with one out. After a single and a walk brought in two runs, D'Amore followed with a two-run hit to push the lead to 10-6.
• In the bottom of the 11^th, Haughey would drive in Pasqualini with an RBI groundout, but the Pioneers got a ground out to end the game.

NOTES

• The Blue Devils lead the all-time series 57-43 in the series, but had a seven-game win streak against the Pioneers come to an end on Saturday.
• Rogers scored a pair of runs and drove in two more, while Short went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
• Torniero was 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
• Jake Neuman started for CCSU and went 6.1 innings. He was charged with four runs on seven hits, while striking out three.

UP NEXT

Central returns to action on Monday when it plays UConn at Dunkin' Park at 4:00 p.m.

Follow @CCSUBlueDevils on Twitter and CCSUBlueDevils.com for updates.