ERIE, Pa. (Interstat) — Central Connecticut faces Mercyhurst on Sunday afternoon in a Northeast Conference series finale at Mercyhurst Athletic Center, with the Blue Devils looking to complete a sweep after taking the first two games of the weekend set.

Central Connecticut (17-23 overall) arrives with momentum after rallying for an 8-7 victory in 10 innings Saturday and winning 5-1 on Friday. Mercyhurst (13-29) seeks to avoid a three-game sweep on its home field.

First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon, with game-time weather forecast at 61 degrees and cloudy.

Center fielder Gianno Merlonghi has been the catalyst for the Blue Devils at the top of the order. In Saturday’s extra-inning win, Merlonghi went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. Over his last 10 games, he has multiple hits in four contests, including a 2-for-3 performance with two RBIs against New Haven on April 26. Merlonghi also drove in two runs in a 13-1 win at Sacred Heart on May 5.

Right-hander Nate Vargo takes the ball for Mercyhurst. Vargo started Saturday’s game and logged 5.0 innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits while striking out four in a no-decision. In his prior outing May 2 against Long Island, he pitched 7.0 innings, surrendering one earned run on three hits with four strikeouts. Vargo has been the Lakers’ most consistent starter, posting quality starts in three of his last four appearances.

The Blue Devils’ bullpen has been sharp in the series. Right-hander Niko Christon tossed 2.2 scoreless innings Saturday, allowing no hits with one strikeout. Richie Kerstetter worked 4.0 innings in Friday’s win, giving up two earned runs on no hits with five strikeouts.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-2 victory for Central Connecticut.

The Blue Devils return home Thursday to open a three-game series against Le Moyne. Mercyhurst travels to Niagara on Tuesday before a three-game series at Wagner beginning Thursday.