BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2 Box Score (Game One)
Box Score (Game Two)

BROOKHAVEN, N.Y. - The University of New Haven baseball team defeated Molloy College in a pair of non-conference games Sunday afternoon on the campus of Dowling College. The Chargers won the first game of the day 8-5, while capping the weekend with their fourth win by a score of 4-0. New Haven now stands at 4-0 on the season, while the Lions fall to 4-4.

Game One
New Haven was first to get on the board in the opening game after freshman Chris DeMorais hammerred a triple to left center in the top half of the second inning. Ken Bilodeau then drove in the freshman with a sacrifice fly to center field. The Chargers carried the 1-0 lead into the third inning behind the pitching of starter Mike Aquilino. In the top of the third, Kyle Pettoruto hit a sacrifice fly to left field in order to score Stephen Clout and give New Haven a 2-0 lead. Solid pitching and defense would keep the score at 2-0 until the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Lions strung together one hit and one UNH error to score their first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth. New Haven wasted no time to improve upon its 2-1 lead. In the top of the sixth, UNH would score a pair of runs off a two-run homerun by DeMorais. The West Hartford native blasted a shot over the right center fence and drove in Pettoruto who opened the inning with a single. The Chargers held on to their 4-1 lead until they came to the plate in the top of the seventh.

Jakc Heary hit a one-out triple in the top of the seventh and set up Pettoruto for his second sacrifice fly of the game. Heary scored off Pettoruto's fly to left field and put UNH up 5-1. Aquilino shut down the bats in the bottom of the seventh and took a seat in the dugout before the eighth inning and with the Chargers leading 5-1.

The Chargers added another three security runs in the top of the eighth, while the Lions came alive in the bottom of the inning. Molloy used three hits to get runners on base and scored one before earning its third out. After the Chargers were held scoreless in the ninth, Molloy once again rallied with three runs in the ninth before New Haven collected the third and final out of the game.

DeMorais led the UNH bats with three hits, two RBI's and two runs. Pettoruto added one hit, two RBI's and one run, while Clout registered two hits, one RBI and one run.

Aquilino earned his first win of the season in seven complete innings. He allowed four hits and one unearned run. Eric Peck and Kris Salvaggi pitched the final two innings in relief.

Game Two
The Chargers immediately got on the board in the nightcap. Three walks to open the game filled the bases for Pettoruto who singled up the middle and drove in two runs. A fielder's choice scored the Chargers third run later in the opening inning.

For nearly the entire rest of the game, both teams demonstrated outstanding pitching and defense. Very few runners were left on base, but Molloy left two on in the bottom of the third inning. The Chargers did, however, add on more run in the top of the sixth inning. Pettoruto doubled down the left field line with one out to start the rally. Bilodeau pinch hit and advanced Pettoruto before freshman Brendon Buckley hit a single through the right side. Pettoruto scored and gave the Chargers a 4-0 lead.

The remaining one and a half innings were all retired in order as the Chargers won their fourth of their opening weekend.

Pettoruto led the Chargers with two hits, two RBI's and one run, while Buckley added one hit and two RBI's.

The New Haven pitching combination of freshman John Melville and sophomore Peter Jay shutdown the Lions. Melville threw three complete innings in his collegiate debut and earned his first victory. Jay pitched four innings in relief. Both allowed just one hit, while striking out three.

The Chargers return to actino on Saturday, March 12 at 12 p.m. at Palm Beach Atlantic University. UNH will remain in Florida for the week following their next game and compete in its annual spring break games.