BOX SCORE 1 |
BOX SCORE 2 Box Score (Game One)
Box Score (Game Two)
WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The University of New Haven baseball team split a doubleheader Saturday afternoon with Merrimack College at Frank Vieira Field. The Chargers fell 0-1 in the opener, but rebounded with a 3-2, 11-inning victory in the nightcap. New Haven moved to 18-12 overall and 7-7 in the Northeast-10 Conference after the split. The Warriors moved to 10-17 overall and 2-10 in conference play.
Game One
The opening game of Saturday's doubleheader was a display of excellent pitching and defense by both teams. The Warriors recorded seven hits, while UNH just three. Both teams did not record an error, while Merrimack was the only team to score.
The Chargers were shutout with just four base runners in the entire game. Andrew Johnson, Jack Heary and Chris DeMorais were the only three to register hits for UNH, while David Wirkus was walked once.
New Haven's best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the eighth inning when Johnson hit a one-out single through the left side of the Merrimack infield. DeMorais then hit a two-out single in the eighth to advance Johnson to third. A ground out later and the Warriors managed to keep UNH off the board.
The game's only run was scored in the top of the sixth inning as the Warriors opened the inning with a walk. Three batters later they drove in the game-winning run.
Senior pitcher Matt Sommo made his first start in nearly a month and threw six full innings, allowing just one run and five hits. He also struck out five batters.
Game Two
Another quiet game for the bats, the second game was played through very rainy and windy conditions at Vieira Field. The Chargers were first to get on the scoreboard with a hit and a run in the third inning. DeMorais led off the inning with a single through the right side, while Merrimack was unsuccessful on a double play with Jason Lewicki's next grounder. Two batters later, Tom Rombilus drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher.
The score remained 1-0 until the top of the sixth inning when the Warriors used one hit and one UNH error to score their first run of the game. Merrimack would take a 2-1 lead in the top of the eighth inning off two hits, including a two-out single to left field.
After leaving bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Chargers rallied in the bottom of the ninth. Shane O'Connell drove in the game-tying run with a single to right center field and forced the first extra-inning game at Vieira Field this season.
Merrimack had two runners in scoring position in the 10th inning, while New Haven put two runners on base in the bottom of the 10th. Both teams were held scoreless, forcing the 11th inning. A lead off single put the Warriors go-ahead run on base to open the 11th. After a groundout to first base, UNH pitcher Mitch Rossi picked off the runner with shortstop Ryan Brockett to clear the bases with two outs. Rossi then struck out the Warriors final batter and put the game into the hands of the UNH bats.
O'Connell opened the bottom of the 11th with a single bunt, while Brendon Buckley followed with a textbook sacrifice bunt. O'Connell would advance to third on a passed ball, while pinch hitter Kyle Pettoruto walked. DeMorais then stepped to the plate with one out and two on in the bottom of the 11th inning. The freshman laced a single to shallow left field and drove in the game-winner in walk-off fashion.
DeMorais led the team with three hits in five at-bats, while adding one RBI and one run. O'Connell also went 3-for-5 in the nightcap with one RBI and one run.
The Chargers' four pitched in the game, Rossi, recorded the win. He pitched the final two innings of shutdown baseball and threw three strikeouts. Freshman Pat Simone started the game on the mound and threw seven 2/3 innings. He allowed just two hits and two runs, while fanning eight batters.
The Chargers are scheduled to return to action on Sunday, April 17 when they travel to Springfield, Mass. to take on NE-10 foe American International College. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
