Pictured Above: Junior RHP Austin Goeke, who tossed his second career complete game in the 7-2 victory over Central Connecticut this afternoon (Dave Saffran)

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New Britain, CT-  A four-run fifth inning combined with junior RHP Austin Goeke's (Bordentown, NJ/The Hun School) second career complete game propelled the Wagner baseball team to a 7-2 victory in the series opener against Central Connecticut on Thursday afternoon. 

With the win, the Seahawks extend their win streak to six straight and now hold a one game lead over CCSU as the two teams battle for the fourth and final spot in the upcoming Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament.

Wagner improves to 19-30 overall; 13-16 in NEC play while the Blue Devils fall to 20-32 and 12-17 in the league.  

Goeke delivered a stellar performance on the mound for the visitors as the third-year Seahawk went the full nine for the second time this season, scattering six hits while allowing just two earned runs, to go along with four strikeouts.  Four of the nine Seahawk batters had at least two hits, led by sophomore 3B Sean Mazzio (West Chester, PA/Salesianum School [DE]), who went 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs. Junior catcher Brendan Benecke (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Liberty) enjoyed a 2-for-4 day in which he drove in two and connected on his first career home run in the victory.  

The Blue Devils was paced by John Lippincott and Corey Lerche, who drove in the only runs for Central Connecticut, with Lerche connecting on a ninth-inning home run. 

The Seahawks threatened early off of CCSU's starter Brandon Fox who was able to retire both junior SS Nick Mascelli (Clifton, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) and senior CF Trey Nicosia (State College, PA/State College Area) on groundouts for the first two outs in the top of the first. Fellow senior RF Ben Ruta (West Windsor, NJ/West-Windsor Plainsboro South) beat out an infield single to short for Wagner's first hit in the contest, which extended his hit streak to seven games.  

Freshman designated hitter Phil Capra (North Salem, NY/North Salem) followed with a double to left-center field, putting runners on second and third. Sophomore LF Kyle Cala (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) drew a walk to load the bases before he was forced out at second to end the threat.

Goeke needed only nine pitches to retire the Blue Devils in the bottom of the first before the Seahawks went back to bat in the top of the second. In its half of the second, Wagner took a 1-0 lead. Mazzio led off with a single through the left side and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt off the bat of senior 1B John Lynn (Wallingford, PA/Salesianum School [DE]).  Sophomore 2B Kyle Brey (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South) singled back up the middle which moved Mazzio to third with just one out. 

As the lineup turned over, Mascelli sent a high fly ball to right, which allowed Mazzio to tag from third and give the Seahawks a 1-0 lead.  The Seahawks tacked on their second run when Brey advanced to second on a balk and ultimately crossed the plate on a wild pitch from Fox giving the Seahawks a 2-0 advantage. After being held off the board in the third and fourth, Wagner put together a four-run, four-hit top of the fifth, extending its lead to 6-0. Back-to-back one-out hits from Nicosia and Ruta gave the Seahawks runners on second and third. 

For Ruta, his double down the right field line moved him into sole possession of 15th place on the all-time Wagner hits list, passing former Seahawks, Joe Francisco ('99) and Chris Drechsel ('09) with 167 hits. 

A walk to Capra loaded the bases for the second time in the contest for the Seahawks. Cala was able to reach on an error by CCSU's third baseman, scoring Nicosia as Wagner took a 3-0 lead. Benecke then ripped a 0-1 single to right field, scoring Ruta for a 4-0 lead.  The first pitch Mazzio saw, he poked a single through the left side, scoring both Capra and Cala, extending the Seahawks' lead to 6-0.

Central Connecticut scored its first run of the contest in the bottom of the inning as John Lippincott singled to center, scoring Connor Fitzsimons from second after he doubled to left field to cut the deficit to 6-1.  With two-outs in the top of the seventh, Benecke connected for his first career home run as the Seahawks went back ahead by six, 7-1. 

Goeke was able to avoid a potential big inning from CCSU. After getting the first two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Franklin Jennings reached on an infield single to short, and Nick Garland moved him over to second on a single through the right side. Goeke regained his composure on the bump and got Dean Lockery to fly out to center ending the inning. 

In the last of the ninth inning, Lerche sent a 2-1 pitch over the left field wall to cut into the lead at 7-2. Goeke was able to retire Mitch Guilmette on a popup to short followed by back-to-back fly outs to the outfield in preserving the five-run victory.

These two teams will play two tomorrow, Friday, May 20, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the CCSU Baseball Field. 

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