Baseball Takes Saturday Contest at Norfolk State

The Central Connecticut State baseball hit three home runs on Saturday to win 10-5 against Norfolk State in NEC action. The Blue Devils took control of the game with a six-run seventh inning and even the three-game league series.

GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE
Score: CENTRAL CONNECTICUT 10, NORFOLK STATE 5
Pitching Record: W:  Salvati (1-0) | L:  Mitchell (0-1) | Save: - -
Records: CCSU (5-4, 4-1 NEC), NSU (3-14,  1-4 NEC)
Location: Marty Miller Field | Norfolk, VA

KEY MOMENTS

• The teams traded runs in the first inning. CCSU's Antonio Ducatelli would draw a walk before scoring on a double by Louis Jordan. NSU answered in the bottom of the inning on a RBI-double by Justin Journette to tie the game, 1-1.
• CCSU would score two runs on four hits in the top of the third inning. Gianno Merlonghi hit a one-out double, before back-to-back doubles by Frankie Ferrentino and Jordan produced two runs with two outs to make it 3-1.
• The Spartans got a run in the fifth on an RBI-groundout and tied the game on a Brendan Burke solo homerun in the sixth inning to make it 3-3.
• Merlonghi and Ducatelli hit back-to-back solo homeruns to open the seventh inning to put CCSU ahead 5-3. Ferrentino followed with a double before scoring on a single by Jordan. With two outs, Brandon O'Neill hit the third homerun of the frame to put Central up four runs before Ryan Scialabba singled in Gabe Pitts to make it 9-3.
• Norfolk State loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning and Cameron Mazell hit a single to right to plate two runs before an inning-ending groundout.
• After loading the bases and failing to score in the eighth inning, CCSU would load the bases again in the ninth inning with two outs. Chris Barkasy would work a base on balls to force in another run and make it 10-5.

NOTES

• Merlonghi collected four hits and homered for the second straight game. He scored three runs and added an RBI.
• Jordan had three hits, including two doubles, and drove in three runs.
• O'Neill added three hits and two RBIs.
• Ferrentino had two doubles and scored two runs.
• Kyle Salvati started and went 6.2 innings to earn the win. He struck out six.
• Brandon Candelora tossed 2.0 shutout innings and allowed just one hit.
• CCSU leads the all-time series, 8-3.

UP NEXT

• The teams conclude the series Sunday  at 12:00 p.m.

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