by Patrick Gustavson
Central Connecticut’s baseball team was back in action this past weekend for a three-game set against LIU Brooklyn. Despite winning the first game, the Blue Devils were unable to keep up that momentum, dropping the last two games to the Blackbirds.
The games followed a lengthy inactive stretch in which the team played just one game in over two weeks following the cancellation of five home games due to the multiple snowstorms.
In the first game on Friday, the Blue Devils bounced back offensively from their game against UMass, scoring 10 runs on 13 hits, including three home runs from Mitch Guilmette, Dylan Maher and Peyton Stephens.
Sophomore pitcher Brandon Fox started the game, throwing a respectable 4.1 innings while only surrendering two earned runs. Sophomore Andrew Braun also tossed 1.2 scoreless innings, with junior Tom Curtin closing out the game, giving up three runs (two earned) in three innings, earning the save.
However, events took a sharp turn in the final two games. On the second game of the series on Saturday, the Blue Devils still managed nine hits, coming from nine different players, and managed to score four runs. But this was no match for the Blackbirds, who scored 15 runs on a whopping 17 hits.
Junior Mike Appel gave up eight runs in 3.2 innings while walking six. The slip was uncharacteristic of Appel, who was excellent in his first three starts. Things didn’t go much better for sophomore Arik Sypher, who’s pitches were pinpointed for five runs on seven hits, two of them being home runs, in just 1.2 innings.
By the end of the seventh innings, the Blue Devils were already in a nine-run hole, a lag that would hold with the Blackbirds taking the game 15-4.
Central’s pitching problems persisted into Sunday’s game. Senior Brett Susi struggled in just one inning, giving up three runs on two hits, two walks and two hit batsmen, putting Central in an early 3-0 hole.
However, the Blue Devils bounced back in the top of the second, scoring three runs of their own, tying the game.
Senior Kyle Anderson relieved Susi and quieted the Blackbird bats. In four innings, he allowed two runs on three hits, while striking out five. Though credited with the loss, Anderson did a strong job keeping his team in the game.
Junior Jared Gallagher threw a near-flawless three innings, allowing just two runners to reach base. Despite the opportunity set-up by strong pitching, the Blue Devil offense was blocked by Blackbird closer Mike Kreiger, resulting in Central falling by a score of 5-3.
The Blue Devils now fall to 3-7 on the season, with a 1-2 record in the Northeast Conference. Despite this, there are still many bright spots on the team. The offense has remained strong, with contributions coming from up and down the roster.
One of the Blue Devils’ most impressive players, freshman outfielder Peyton Stephens, has appeared in all 10 games and leads the team in batting average.
Senior catcher Dylan Maher has seen valuable playing time at first base the last two series and has capitalized on his opportunity, swatting five hits in the LIU series, including the aforementioned home run.
Center fielder Chris Kanios, who missed the first six games of the season, has transitioned into his late start smoothly, hitting .294 in the last four games.
The Blue Devils are set to play their next six games at home, starting with a matchup against in-state rival UConn on Wednesday, March 21.