Baseball Rallies to Win in 10 at Mercyhurst
The Central Connecticut State baseball rallied for an 8-7 win in 10 innings in NEC action against Mercyhurst on Saturday in Erie, PA. The Blue Devils tied the game with three runs in the eighth inning before winning in extras.
Gianno Merlonghi went 3-for-5 with three runs and three RBIs, including the game-tying homerun. Brandon O'Neill added a homerun and two RBIs, while Niko Christon earned the win after coming on in relief.
GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE
Score: CENTRAL CONNECTICUT 8, MERCYHURST 7 (10 innings)
Pitching Record: W: Christon (4-1) | L: Kirsch (2-7) | Save: - -
Records: CCSU (17-23, 13-16), Mercyhurst (13-29, 12-17)
Location: Mercyhurst Baseball Field | Erie, PA
KEY MOMENTS
- The Blue Devils put up a run in the first inning after Louis Jordan tripled and scored after Antonio Ducatelli followed with a double to make it 1-0.
- In the bottom of the first, Mercyhurst knocked out three singles, including one by Mike Samarin to drive in two runs. Logan Koslin would hit an RBI-groundout to make it 3-1.
- The Lakers added to the lead in the second, taking advantage of an error and pushing across a run on Ranciel Ventura's sac fly to make it 4-1.
- In the fifth inning, Gabe Pitts hit a one-out triple to set the table for O'Neill who hit a two-run shot make it 4-3.
- In the bottom of the inning the Lakers responded with an RBI-double by Samarin and a RBI-single by Zac Evenson to go back in front, 6-3.
- CCSU got a run back in the sixth after Merlonghi tripled with one out. He scored on a sac fly by Matt Graziose to make it 6-4.
- Mercyhurst would add an unearned run in the sixth to push the lead to three runs.
- In the eighth, Ducatelli reached on an error to lead off and was followed by Frankie Ferrentino hitting a single. Merlonghi would clear the bases with a homerun to left to tie the game at 7-7.
- Merlonghi singled with one out in the 10th and moved to second on a walk issued to Graziose. Back-to-back wild pitches would allow Merlonghi to score and make it 8-7.
- Christon would retire the Lakers in order to wrap up the win.
NOTES
- Merlonghi was a double shy of hitting for the cycle.
- O'Neill hit his second homerun of the season.
- Pitts had two hits and a stolen base.
- Donte Valentine was 2-for-4.
- Christon tossed 2.2 hitless innings and did not allow a run.
- Richie Kerstetter threw 4.0 innings in relief and struck out five, while allowing two earned runs.
- Central won in extra innings for the first time since downing Wagner, 10-9, on April 2 in 10 innings.
- CCSU is 5-0 all-time against Mercyhurst.
UP NEXT
- Central and Mercyhurst wrap up the series on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Follow @CCSUBlueDevils on X/Twitter and CCSUBlueDevils.com for updates.
