BOX SCORE Box Score

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. - The University of New Haven baseball team scored a pair of runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a 3-2 victory over Adelphi University in its 2011 Northeast-10 Conference opening game Tuesday afternoon. With the win, New Haven improved to 9-5 overall and 1-0 in the NE-10, while the Panthers fell to 10-6-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

The Chargers, who left runners on base in each of the first three innings, were the first to score in the top of the fifth inning. After a lead-off walk by Chris DeMorais, David Wirkus broke the 0-0 tie with a one-run double to right field. He drove in DeMorais from first base and gave the Chargers a 1-0 lead. After opening the bottom of the fifth with a pop up, Adelphi wasted no time evening the score at 1-1. The Panthers recorded a walk and a double with one out in the fifth inning to tie the game.

New Haven then led off the sixth inning with a bunt from Ryan Brockett who reached first base. UNH would eventually load the bases in the sixth, but a two-out strikeout stranded three on base for the Chargers. Adelphi took the lead in the bottom of the sixth off a wild pitch from UNH's Matt Sommo.

New Haven left another two runners on base in the seventh, but pitching and tight defense for the next two innings retired six-straight Adelphi batters. The defense propelled the offense in the top of the final inning for the Chargers. Wirkus led off the inning with a single to right field, while freshman Brendon Buckley showed bunt before squaring up to hit a double to left field. A ground out and intentional walk loaded the bases for Ryan Brockett. The junoir was then hit by a pitch and drove in the game-tying run. Sophomore Shane O'Connell then drove in the game winning run off a fielder's choice. After the Panthers recorded the third out of the inning, Mitch Rossi took the mound to close out the game. The senior forced two fly outs and one strikeout to earn the Chargers ninth win of the season.

Wirkus went 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI, while Brockett also went .500 at the play with one RBI. Buckley went 2-for-4 with one run scored.

UNH's starting pitcher Matt Sommo pitched seven complete innings with seven strikeouts and four hits. Peter Jay threw in relief and earned the victory, his second of the season. Rossi closed out his fourth save of the season on Tuesday.

New Haven will return to action on Thursday, March 24 when it hosts the Panthers at Vieira Field in it's 2011 home opener. Game time at Vieira Field is set for 3:30 p.m.