Pictured Above: Senior RF Ben Ruta went 2-for-4 in the nightcap of Friday's doubleheader, giving him 170 career hits, needing one more to move into 14th place all-time on Wagner's career hits list (Dave Saffran)

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New Britain, CT- Central Connecticut plated five runs in the first inning and went on to post an 8-1 win over Wagner in the nightcap of Friday's doubleheader.

With the loss, which came on the heels of a 2-1 loss in game one, the Seahawks fall to 19-32 overall and 13-18 in Northeast Conference (NEC) play while the Blue Devils improve to 22-32 and 14-17 in league play. Today's defeat eliminated the Seahawks from postseason contention. 

Senior RF Ben Ruta (West Windsor, NJ/West-Windsor Plainsboro South) went 2-for-4, extending his hitting streak to nine straight games. In the process, Ruta now needs just one more base hit to tie former Seahawk and current Jackson Generals outfielder, Ian Miller ('14) for 14th all-time on Wagner's career hit list at 171. 

On the mound, senior LHP Matt Morris (Matawan, NJ/St. John Vianney) hurled four innings, giving up eight hits and six earned runs while striking out two in taking the loss (4-5). Senior right-hander Nathan Hunt (Kirtland, OH/Hawken School) pitched two innings in relief, giving up two hits and two earned runs while walking two and striking out two.

Eight of the nine Blue Devils starters recorded a hit, as Franklin Jennings and Nick Garland each had two hits while Garland and Dean Lockery scored four of the eight runs for Central Connecticut.  John Lippincott went 1-for-3 with four RBIs, all coming on a first-inning grand slam.  CCSU starter Mike Appeal pitched a complete game, five-hitter, allowing just the one run and walking two batters.

In the bottom of the first, the Blue Devils' first four hitters all reached on singles as Jennings led off with an infield single to second followed by back-to-back bunt singles from Garland and Lockery. Andrew then Hinckley plated in Jennings with a single to left to make it 1-0. 

The Seahawks nearly escaped the big inning, as Morris was able to retire Corey Lerche and Connor Fitzsimons on consecutive popups before Lippincott launched a 1-0 pitch over the right field wall, clearing the bases and extending the lead to 5-0.  Central Connecticut tacked on another run in the bottom of the second as Nick Landell led off the frame with a single to left and came around to score on an RBI double to left off the bat of Garland. 

The Seahawks were able to get one back in the fourth, cutting the lead to 6-1. Sophomore LF Kyle Cala (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) reached on a fielder's choice. Junior catcher Brendan Benecke (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Liberty) was hit by a pitch and sophomore 3B Sean Mazzio (West Chester, PA/Salesianum School [DE]) loaded the bases with a walk. Senior 1B John Lynn (Wallingford, PA/Salesianum School [DE]) then chopped a 3-1 pitch to third, but a fielding miscue by Jennings allowed Cala to score and make it 6-1. 

The Blue Devils increased the lead in the fifth. Garland reached first after being hit by a Hunt pitch with the count at 2-2. After Garland swiped second, Lockery walked. After a double steal, Fitzsimons singled to right, scoring both Lockery and Garland.

The Seahawks had an opportunity in the sixth as Cala led off with a double to left. Benecke reached on a throwing error from Jennings giving the Seahawks runners on first and second. A 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Mazzio moved Cala to third but he was stranded as Lynn flown out to right ending the frame.

Wagner and Central Connecticut close out the 2016 regular season tomorrow afternoon, May 21, with a nine-inning contest, beginning at 1:00 p.m. 


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