Pair of Six-Run Innings Lift Baseball by Sacred Heart

The Central Connecticut State baseball team used a pair of six-run innings to down Sacred Heart, 12-8, on Tuesday in New Britain, CT. CCSU batted around in the bottom of the first to take the lead for good and got a solid outing from starting pitcher Zach Worzel to get the non-conference victory.

GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE
Score: CENTRAL CONNECTICUT 12, SACRED HEART 8
Pitching Record: W: Worzel (1-0) | L: Friel (0-1) | Save: - -
Records: CCSU (7-11, 5-7 NEC), SHU (6-19, 4-5 MAAC)
Location: CCSU Baseball Field | New Britain, CT

KEY MOMENTS

• After SHU scored a run in the top of the first, CCSU would go to work in the bottom of the inning, batting around and scoring six runs. Chris Barkasy would lead off by drawing a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Following a pair of hit batters to load the bases, Gianno Merlonghi would reach on a fielder's choice and push across the Blue Devils' first run. Central would then draw five consecutive base on balls, along with a wild pitch and an error, which resulted in the Blue Devils going ahead, 6-1.
• CCSU would bat around and score six more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. A pair of walks and a single by Gabe Pitts would load the bases to open the inning. Michael Quiros would drive in a run on ground ball up the middle, but an error would keep the bases full with no outs. Merlonghi followed with a two-run single to make it 9-2. After another walk loaded the bases, Brandon O'Neill would single in a pair of runs. With runners on the corners and nobody out, CCSU grounded into a double-play but pushed across another run to make it 12-2.
• SHU would get a solo homerun from CJ Nolan, his second of the day, with two outs in the top of the seventh inning. In the eighth, Dave Yorke pinch-hit and hit a two-run homer, followed by an RBI-single from Ryan Rey to make it 12-6.
• The Pioneers got an RBI-single in the ninth and scored an unearned run before TJ Winn, Jr. induced a flyball to left field to end the game.

NOTES

• Merlonghi went 3-for-5 and scored two runs, while driving in two more.
• O'Neill would drive in three runs and score a run.
• Pitts was 2-for-3 with a run scored and also had a catch in center field to rob a homerun in the fifth inning.
• Worzel made his first start at CCSU and allowed two runs over 5.0 innings. He would scatter five hits, while striking out five.
• Blue Devils batters drew 11 base on balls in the game.
• CCSU has won three straight meetings between the clubs and leads the all-time series, 63-45

UP NEXT

• The Blue Devils open a three-game NEC series against Wagner at home on Thursday..

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