BOX SCORE BOX SCORE

LAKE WORTH, Fla. - The University of New Haven baseball team dropped a non-conference game to Saint Thomas Aquinas College, 2-3, Tuesday afternoon in Florida. The Chargers fell to 4-3 on the season, while the Spartans improved to 9-4.

The Spartans opened scoring in the bottom of the first inning off three hits. The Spartans also loaded the bases in the first inning and stranded three runners on base. Neither team managed another base runner until St. Thomas Aquinas tallied one hit and one run in the bottom of the third inning. New Haven's first scoring chance came in the top of the fourth inning when David Wirkus (Orange, Conn./Fairfield Prep / St. Anselm College) drew a walk to load the bases with one out. A strikeout and a force out stifled the Chargers' chances in the fourth. The Spartans strung together another three hits to improve their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth.

UNH left one runner on base in the fifth and sixth innings, before the side was retired in the seventh. The Chargers defense played well without allowing a run in the final four innings by St. Thomas Aquinas. New Haven's two runs were scored in the top of the eighth inning. Back-to-back walks and an error by the third baseman loaded the bases with no outs. Ryan Brockett (Guilford, Conn./Guilford ) then drove in one run to bring UNH within two, 3-1. A double play scored one more and put the Chargers' tying run on third base with two outs. A strikeout and the Chargers chances of tying the game disappeared. One hit in the top of the ninth couldn't start a Chargers' rally in the final inning.

Freshman Joey Royer (Westbrook, Maine/Cheverus) suffered his first loss of the season in five full innings Tuesday. Senior shortstop Ryan Brockett (Guilford, Conn./Guilford ) went 2-for-3 at the plate and drove in one run. Joe Romanelli (Baldwin, N.Y./Holy Trinity) and Brendon O'Reilly each added one hit for the Chargers.

New Haven will return to action on Wednesday, March 14 with a doubleheader against Philadelphia University in Florida. The first pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. (noon). For complete coverage, stay posted to www.NewHavenChargers.com.