Baseball Has Rally Stopped in Opener at Stonehill

Central Connecticut State had its ninth-inning rally held off in the NEC series opener at Stonehill on Friday, falling 5-3 in Easton, MA. The Blue Devils scored two runs in the ninth before the Skyhawks managed to put an end to the Central rally.

Gabe Tanous had two hits for Central, while Kyle Salvati tossed 5.1 innings of one-run ball in the start.

GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE
Score: CENTRAL CONNECTICUT 3, STONEHILL 5
Pitching Record: W: Gilleran (1-0) | L: Candelora (1-1) | Save: - -
Records: CCSU (5-10, 4-6 NEC), Stonehill (8-13, 6-1 NEC
Location: Lou Gorman Field | Easton, MA

KEY MOMENTS

• Stonehill would get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning. Sam Parks drew a lead off walk and got to third on a one-out single. Nathan Kearney would hit a groundout that scored Parks to make it 1-0.
• Central responded in the top of the second with Chris Barkasy leading off with a walk and stealing second base. An error would load the bases with one out before Gabe Tanous drew a walk to force in a run and tie the score.
• CCSU would take advantage of a single and two walks to load the bases with two outs in the top of the sixth inning, but a ground ball would get Stonehill out of the jam.
• After allowing a run in the first, Salvati would only allow one runner past first base before he was relieved with one out and two runners on in the sixth inning. CCSU would end the threat unharmed before running into trouble in the seventh inning. Stonehill got a leadoff double and two walks to load the bases with one out. The Skyhawks would use a walk, balk and groundout to push across four runs to take a 5-1 lead.
• The Blue Devils would start a rally in the ninth with a one-out single by Tanous. A hit batter and walk would load the bases for Louis Jordan who singled through the middle to drive in a run. Michael Quiros pinch hit and drove in a run with a RBI-groundout to make it 5-3. With two runners in scoring position, Stonehill got a groundout to end the game.

NOTES

• Central was held to just six basehits in the game.
• Tanous, Jordan and Quiros each had an RBI.
• Salvati struck out a season-high seven batters in 5.1 innings, while scattering five hits.
• Jordan, Barkasy and Gianno Merlonghi each had a stolen base for CCSU.
• Stonehill leads the all-time series, 6-4, and snapped a two-game CCSU win streak in the series.

UP NEXT

• The series continues with a 2:00 p.m. first pitch on Saturday.

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