April 27, 2025
Baseball Falls to Norfolk State; NEC Win Streak Snapped
The Central Connecticut baseball team dropped the Northeast Conference series finale to Norfolk State, 13-2, on Sunday in New Britain, CT. The loss snapped the Blue Devils' 19-game conference win streak
GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE
Score: CENTRAL CONNECTICUT 2, NORFOLK STATE 13
Pitching Record: W: Varnier (1-4) | L: Hines (1-2) | Save: Crocker (1)
Records: CCSU (24-9, 19-2 NEC), NSU (2-31, 2-19 NEC)
Location: CCSU Baseball Field | New Britain, CT
KEY MOMENTS
- The starting pitchers were the story of the early going, with each striking out the side in the first inning. The teams combined for just one hit, a Gianno Merlonghi single, in the opening two frames.
- Norfolk State managed to open the scoring in the third inning. Following back-to-back singles and a sacrifice bunt, with runners on second and third, Jalan Jones singled to left and drove in two runs to make it 2-0.
- Owen Arias led off the CCSU second with a double and would come home on a two-out single by Aidan Redahan to make it a one-run game.
- Norfolk State would add a run in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to push its lead to 5-1. The offensive support would be more than enough for Nathaniel Varnier who struck out seven over 6.0 innings, while limiting the Blue Devils to just six hits.
- CCSU threatened to in the seventh inning when it got into the NSU bullpen and drew a pair of leadoff walks. Following another pitching change and a fly out, Redahan would single to load the bases with just one out. Although a run came across on a groundout, a pop up would end the threat and left the score 5-2 in favor of NSU.
- The Spartans would break the game open by pushing across eight runs on 10 hits across the final two frames.
NOTES
- Arias went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
- Redahan and Merlonghi each added two hits.
- Each side had 11 runners left on base.
- The game featured 27 combined hits, with just four extra-base hits.
- Central lost its first NEC game since March 8 at LIU.
- CCSU is 7-2 all-time against Norfolk St.
UP NEXT
- The Blue Devils return to action on Friday, May 2, at Wagner.
Follow @CCSUBlueDevils on X/Twitter and CCSUBlueDevils.com for updates.
