NEW BRITAIN, Conn.— The Sacred Heart University baseball team split its Northeast Conference doubleheader against Central Connecticut State on Saturday afternoon.

The Pioneers (6-16, 2-5 NEC) offense came alive in game one with the 9-5 win before the Blue Devils (8-12, 5-3 NEC) capitalized early in game two to earn the 7-4 win to split the twin bill at CCSU Baseball Field.

Game One – SHU 9, CCSU 5

SHU broke open the scoring in the third inning as co-captain PJ DeFilippo scored on an error by first baseman Dylan Maher on a throw to second base. Sophomore Jake Frasca brought in the second run of the inning with a RBI sacrifice fly. 

CCSU got one run back in the top half of the fifth inning before jumping ahead with a 3-2 lead after a two-run sixth inning against senior James Taubl. The Pioneers responded in the bottom half of the inning as Frasca and freshman Matt Sorrento recorded a single and double to open the inning. SHU's top of the order in sophomores Elijah Brown and Stephen Thibault recorded RBI singles to regain the lead at 4-3.

After two quick outs in the seventh, sophomore Austin Markmann recorded the RBI walk with the bases loaded. Brown then smacked his first home run of the season over the left field wall for the grand slam. CCSU tacked on two runs in the eighth to complete the scoring.

SHU outhit CCSU 13-9 in the opening game with five batters recording multiple hits. Frasca led the way with his third three-hit game in NEC play. Brown's five runs batted in set a new career-high for the centerfielder.

Taubl earned the victory in the start on the bump for the Pioneers. The southpaw scattered seven hits and three earned runs in six innings of work. Junior Jackson Aldam pitched a hitless inning and two-thirds of relief to close out the game.

Game Two – CCSU 7, SHU 4

CCSU got off to a quick start in game two scoring three runs on two hits in the first inning. SHU responded with a RBI single by junior Kyle Oliver with two-outs. Momentum continued in the top of the second as two more runs crossed the plate for the designated visiting team.

The Pioneers didn't threaten again till the bottom of the fourth inning as Oliver and DeFilippo both recorded a single. Sorrento continued his success at the dish with a RBI single through the right side to cut the score to 5-2. Teller settled in for the rest of the game before surrendering a two-RBI double in the seventh to the Blue Devils. 

After sophomore Austin Markmann doubled to left field, SHU recorded two quick outs before freshman Isiah Daubon stepped to the plate. The rookie ripped a shot to right field that was knocked over the fence by CCSU's right fielder as he absorbed contact with the fence. Oliver smacked his fourth hit of the game before the final out was recorded for the 7-4 final. 

Oliver contributed a career-high four base knocks and Sorrento recorded his third straight multi-hit game as SHU outhit CCSU 10-7 in game two. 

Teller pitched six and a third innings in the loss, striking out five on the day. Freshman Matt Aufiero recorded the final two outs including a strikeout to end the seventh. 

The Pioneers conclude the season series against CCSU tomorrow with another doubleheader beginning at noon from CCSU Baseball Field.