May 8, 2026
Salvati's Gem, Graziose's Two Homers Lift Baseball at Mercyhurst
Salvati twirls a complete-game and Graziose hits two homeruns in CCSU win.
The Central Connecticut State baseball won the opener of a three-game NEC series at Mercyhurst, 5-1, on Friday in Erie, PA. CCSU's Kyle Salvati was in control throughout, pitching a complete game and striking out 11.
Matt Graziose hit two homeruns for the second consecutive game and drove in three runs.
GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE
Score: CENTRAL CONNECTICUT 5, MERCYHURST 1
Pitching Record: W: Salvati (2-2) | L: Delvaux (4-5) | Save: - -
Records: CCSU (16-23, 12-16), Mercyhurst (13-28, 12-16)
Location: Mercyhurst Baseball Field | Erie, PA
KEY MOMENTS
- Central opened the scoring in the second inning after Frankie Ferrentino singled and Gianno Merlonghi walked to lead off. A single by Graziose would drive in the first run before a ground ball moved runners to second and third. A sacrifice fly by Brandon O'Neill made it 2-0.
- Graziose hit a solo homerun with one out in the fourth to push the lead to three runs.
- O'Neill singled to lead off the seventh and moved to third on a pair of Mercyhurst miscues. He would score on a groundout by Antonio Ducatelli to make it 4-0.
- Graziose went deep with one out in the eighth to make it 5-0.
- Salvati allowed just two hits through the first 6.2 innings. The Lakers did not have a runner get past second base until Zachary Kourous led off the ninth inning with a homerun.
NOTES
- Salvati scattered five hits over 9.0 innings and struck out 11, while walking one.
- It was the first nine-inning complete game for a Blue Devil since April 12, 2024 (Jake Neuman vs. UMES) and the most strikeouts since April 5, 2025 (Vincent Borghese, 10 vs. Delaware St.)
- Graziose was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs. He has hit a team-high seven homeruns on the season.
- Graziose and Ferrenetino (Feb. 28 at Florida A&M) both have two-homerun games this season.
- CCSU is 4-0 all-time against Mercyhurst.
UP NEXT
- Central and Mercyhurst continue the series on Saturday.
Follow @CCSUBlueDevils on X/Twitter and CCSUBlueDevils.com for updates.
