FLEMINGTON, N.J. – The Centenary University baseball team exploded for a season-high 23 runs en route to a 23-7 win over Clarks Summit University in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action on Thursday.

The Cyclones got three hits and four RBIs apiece from freshman Christopher Gass, senior Ryan Jasiecki and freshman Keiji Ipposhi.

Centenary got the offense going early in this contest as the Cyclones plated four runs in the bottom of the first. Ipposhi drove in two runs with a triple while Jasiecki and sophomore Joe Saffioti each posted RBI doubles.

Clarks Summit pulled to within one with three runs in the top of the second. A two run double from Jacob Leisinger highlighted the inning for the Defenders.

The Cyclones went back to work in the bottom half of the frame as triples from Gass and fellow freshman Paul Links plated three runs and gave the home team a 7-3 advantage.

The Centenary offense had a big inning in the third as the Cyclones sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six runs. The big blow in the inning came from junior Cole Fratesi as he drove in two runs with a single to left center. Senior Chase Koffel, Gass and Ipposhi all had RBI singles in the inning as well. The home team led 13-3 at the end of three.

The Cyclones put five more runs on the board in the fourth and took an 18-3 advantage in the contest. Senior Casey Brown, Ipposhi and Gass all had RBI singles to highlight the inning.

While the Centenary offense exploded 11 runs in the third through fifth innings, senior Frankie Iannone was keeping the Defenders bats in check. Iannone entered the game in the third inning, went three, and allowed just one base runner in each of those frames.

Clarks Summit scored three runs in the top of the sixth. Leisinger had an RBI single and scored a run in the inning for the Defenders.

Centenary posted five runs in the bottom of the seventh and extended its lead to 23-6. With one out and the bases loaded, Jasiecki drove a triple to the fence in right center that scored all three runners. Fratesi and sophomore Jonathan Pezzato contributed RBI doubles in the inning as well.

Clarks Summit plated one more run in the top of the eighth but that was it as the Cyclones claimed the 23-7 win.

Iannone picked up the win after going three innings for the Cyclones and allowing one hit with two walks and a strikeout. Dyllan Weaver took the loss for Clarks Summit after giving up nine runs on seven hits in two innings.

All nine Cyclone starters recorded at least one hit at the plate on the afternoon. Gass finished with three hits, four RBIs and three runs scored while Jasiecki also had three hits, four RBIs and three runs scored. Ipposhi contributed the three hits, four RBIs and a run scored for the Cyclones.

Fleck had three hits and four runs scored out of the leadoff spot while Fratesi finished with three hits, three runs scored and three RBIs. Koffel also had three hits and three runs scored.

Leisinger had three hits and three RBIs for Clarks Summit.

The Cyclones and Defenders will wrap up their series when they play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 27 at 12 p.m. The two games are set to be played at Keystone's Christy Mathewson Field.