Box Score NEW BRITAIN, Conn.-- The Sacred Heart Baseball team pulled out the 4-3 win over Central Connecticut in extra innings as junior outfielder Anthony Capozziello lifted a walk off sacrifice fly to right field to score classmate Alex Perry in the bottom of the 10th inning. The Pioneers (7-14, 2-0 NEC) clinched their first Northeast Conference series win of the season with the victory over the Blue Devils (9-10, 3-2 NEC) on Saturday afternoon.
SHU struck first against reigning NEC Pitcher of the Week, Mike Appel, as Perry drove a first pitch triple to right center field in the bottom of the third inning. Senior Ted Shaw knocked him in with an RBI ground out to shortstop. CCSU evened up the game as Nick Landell drove in Mitch Guilmette for the RBI groundout and unearned run against sophomore Brent Teller.
After two strikeouts in the bottom of the fifth inning, freshman Austin Markmann drove a single up the middle. Perry then followed suit with a single up the middle as well and Shaw walked to load up the bases. Capozziello stepped up in the two spot and caught a lucky break as second baseman Dean Lockery dropped a foul ball just outside the first base line. Capozziello then lined a two-RBI double to left field to bring the score to 3-1. CCSU didn't back down as they added a run in the next inning with a RBI groundout from Dylan Maher.
The Blue Devils evened up the ball game at 3-3 on Landell RBI single in the top of the seventh inning. The Pioneers had a runner on second base in the bottom of the ninth but CCSU reliever Jack Gallagher was able to get a ground out from Cody Doyle to push the game to extras. Landell reached third base with one out in the top of the 10th inning but freshman reliever Kevin Czapelski stepped up with back-to-back strikeouts to get out of the inning. With one man out in the 10th inning, Perry drove the 2-0 pitch from Gallagher to right center field for his second triple of the game. CCSU intentionally walked Shaw to put the force out in play. Capozziello lifted the 1-1 pitch from the lefthander into deep right field to score Perry to take the ball game.
Capozziello went 1-for-3 on the afternoon with a double and career-high three runs batted in. Perry went 3-for-4 with three runs scored with two triples on the afternoon. Teller pitched seven strong innings in the no decision, scattering seven hits and striking out five batters. Czapelski notched his first collegiate win in his three innings in relief, the rookie didn't allow a hit and struck out two batters.
The Pioneers will look to sweep the weekend series over the Blue Devils tomorrow at CCSU Baseball Field. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m.
