After going 0-2 on Friday in a doubleheader, the Central Connecticut State University baseball team took the last game in conference play against the Wagner College Seahawks.
At the start of the series, the Blue Devils offense had trouble coming alive. With a lead of 2-0 that came in the bottom of the seventh and bottom of the eighth inning, Wagner closed the game out, scoring three runs in the top of the ninth.
Senior pitcher Jake Neuman almost threw a complete game, facing 33 batters. Senior pitcher Luke Garofalo faced three batters.
The Blue Devils could not jump start the offense heading into the second game. With 36 at bats and 10 hits, CCSU left 11 runners on base.
Three Blue Devil pitchers touched the mound trying to shut down the Wagner offense. Senior Anthony Mozzicato threw for six innings, junior Vincent Spizzoucco and sophomore Nic Benhardt closed the game.
The Wagner Seahawks defeated Central 4-1.
Heading into the final game against the Seahawks, Head Coach Charlie Hickey said the message was to rely on their experience with the game.
“We have to understand we are only one-fourth through our conference schedule,” he said.
The Blue Devils kept Wagner away from home plate for all nine innings. Junior Aidan Redahan gave the team the lead in the first inning with a 3-run homerun. Jeff Nicol, Bo Yaworski, Joe Rios, and Josh Taylor added runs to the score board for Central.
CCSU defeated Wagner 7-0.
Hickey said keeping above 500 allows you to keep focus on winning each series, two out of three.
“A 3- run homer is always a game changer early,” he said. “The team was able to add on runs to stretch the lead.”
Drew Munn threw for a complete nine innings. Facing 31 batters, he gave up three hits with no runs.
Central lost the series but Hickey said the team has already moved on.
“We play the best team in New England Tuesday at Northeastern; it is a short week with Easter and then play Stonehill Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.”
The Blue Devils are ready for more conference play, as they will be back at home to take on Merrimack College in a three-game series on April 5.
