The Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils took the series sweep against the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks on April 12-14.
Senior pitcher Jake Neuman faced 37 batters in nine innings on Friday. Neuman gave up three hits and two runs. He concluded with eight strikeouts. Neuman is 3-4 on the season.
Central defeated the Hawks 7-2 on Friday with a two-run home run from Colby Brouillette and additional RBIs from Brady Short, Hunter Pasqualini, Aidan Redahan and Michael Torniero.
Central’s offense remained consistent throughout the series. The Blue Devils outhit the Hawks in the first two games, combining for 22 hits in 18 innings.
The Blue Devils dominated in game two with a final score of 13-4. Pasqualini hit a three-run home run, and Joe Rios followed with a two-run home run.
Senior Vincent Spizzoucco started on the mound. Three relievers helped Central secure the win. The pitching staff gave up six hits and combined for eight strikeouts.
Central’s offense remained consistent throughout the series. The Blue Devils outhit the Hawks in the first two games, combining for 22 hits in 18 innings.
In game three, Central scored 10 runs against the Hawks. In 30 at-bats, there were six walks and five strikeouts.
Junior Gianno Merlonghi hit a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Senior pitcher Patrick Rielly recorded the win after relieving sophomore Drew Munn. Rielly and Mun combined for eight strikeouts. Munn gave up six runs, and Rielly gave up one.
After the seventh inning, freshman Sam Hutchinson and sophomore Nic Benhardt pitched one inning each.
Central scored 30 runs in the series against UMES.
Senior Elliot Good said the last two weeks have been tough for the team when they were not playing well.
“Securing the series sweep this weekend was crucial for the rest of the season,” he said. “This puts us back on track to have a shot at making the NEC tournament at the end of the year, which is the ultimate goal.”
The Blue Devils traveled to face the University of Albany on Tuesday and will hit the road again for a three-game series against Fairleigh Dickinson University starting on April 19.
“In order for us to keep the momentum going into next week, we have to keep working hard at practice and play well versus the University of Albany on Tuesday,” Good said. “This will set us up to play our best baseball this upcoming weekend versus FDU.”
Central snapped its nine-game losing streak with solid play against UMES. Good said the team made some needed adjustments during the series.
“Timely hitting, solid defense, and good pitching allowed us to win all three games versus UMES,” he said. “We have been struggling to put up consistent runs on offense, and this weekend we were able to turn that around.”
