BOX SCORE NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The University of New Haven baseball team defeated nationall ranked No. 15 Southern Connecticut State University 4-2 Tuesday afternoon at the Ballpark at SCSU. The Chargers starting pitcher Mike Aquilino (West Haven, Conn./West Haven) went seven innings and struck out seven, while Cory Carr (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) hit a clutch game-winning two-RBI single up the middle in the fifth. The Chargers improved to 13-6-1 overall and 2-1-1 in the Northeast-10 Conference Southwest Division, while the Owls fell to 19-8 overall and 2-2 in divisional play.

Both teams went scoreless and left two runners on base in the first three innings at the Ballpark at SCSU. In the top of the fourth inning, the Chargers managed two hits and left one runner on base. In the bottom of the inning, the Owls tallied one hit and one runner as base as well.

The Chargers were the first to strike in the top of the fifth inning. David Wirkus (Orange, Conn./Fairfield Prep / St. Anselm College) led off the inning with a single to left field, while Brendan O'Reilly advanced Wirkus with a sacrifice bunt. Catcher Joe Romanelli (Baldwin, N.Y./Holy Trinity) then walked and Wirkus eventually stole third base to put runners on the corners when Stephen Clout (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Eastern) stepped to the plate. The outfielder then hit a one-out RBI-single to center field to drive in the game's first run. With Romanelli on third, Clout took second base with Carr at the plate. Carr then connected for a single up the middle to scored the eventually game-winning runs.

The Owls continued to trail 3-0 through the sixth and seventh innings. In the top of the eighth inning, New Haven added another insurance run when Wirkus forced a bases-loaded walk to drive in the fourth and final run for UNH.

Southern's two runs came in the bottom of the ninth inning off two SCSU hits. The Owls managed four base runners in the bottom of the ninth, but New Haven's closer, Peter Jay (Shelton, Conn./Shelton) entered and forced the final out to secure the Chargers' 13th win of the season.

Carr went 2-for-5 at the plate with two RBI. Clout also went 2-for-5 with one RBI and one run. On the mound, Mike Aquilino (West Haven, Conn./West Haven) earned his third win of the season in impressive fashion. He posted seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts and only three hits.

New Haven returns to action on Friday, April 6 at the University of Massachusetts Lowell for a NE-10 doubleheader. Game time is set for 1 p.m.in Lowell. Stay posted to www.NewHavenChargers.com for complete coverage.