MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Junior second baseman Nick Russo (Shirley, N.Y./William Floyd) led off the game with a solo home run and finished with a team-best three hits, in five at bats, to lead the New Haven baseball team as they dropped an 11-7 decision to Felician University in the final game of the Northeast Challenge in Myrtle Beach, S.C. With the loss, New Haven falls top 0-4 in the young season.
Russo's team leading three hits were part of 10 total for the Chargers as he was joined by right fielder Robert Petrillo (Branford, Conn./Branford) and left fielder PJ Contreas in finishing with a multi-hit game as each finished with a pair of hits. Of the trio of leading hitters, Russo was the only to drive in a run, while centerfielder Joe Caico (Hopedale, Mass./Worcester (MA)) led New Haven with two RBI, part of six total for the team. In addition to Russo, shortstop Dylon Grzenda (North Attleboro, Mass./North Attleboro) also went yard for the Chargers.
On the hill, reliever TJ Margiotta (New City, N.Y./Clarkstown North) suffered his first loss of the season, allowing three earned runs, four total, on three hits and a walk in one-third of an inning of work. Overall, Margiotta faced seven batters, striking out one. Josh Walker (Otisville, N.Y./Minisink Valley) started the game for the Chargers, pitching 3.2 innings and allowing four earned runs on three hits and four walks. He also finished with a team-high three strikeouts.
Tim Kennedy (Ridge, N.Y./Longwood) and Brian Caselli (Stratford, Conn./Stratford) also saw time in relief with Kennedy leading the staff on the day, allowing one earned run on three hits in three innings of work. Caselli closed out his day with two earned runs on two hits in one inning of work.
Russo's game-opening home run came on a 2-1 count as he lifted the pitch over the left center wall for his first long ball of the season. That run was part of three first inning runs for the Chargers, who never trailed until the eighth inning. Caico would plate the final two runs of the inning when he singled up the middle driving in Petrillo and TJ Riccio (Port Jeff Station, N.Y./Comsewogue).
New Haven added to its lead with a single run in the fourth inning before the Golden Falcons tied the game with a four run bottom of the fourth. Andrew Garcia (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue Medford) drove in the Chargers fourth inning run when he singled to second base driving in Contreas who singled to left to start the inning and was sacrificed into scoring position by Alex Palmieri (West Haven, Conn./West Haven).
The Chargers answered the four run fourth by Felician by regaining a lead with a single run in the fifth inning with all the offense coming with two outs in the frame. Zagaja began the rally by working a walk and advancing into scoring position on a wild pitch. He would score on the next at bat when Cairo reached on a dropped fly ball at first base.
The Golden Falcons tied the game for the second time with a single run in the seventh inning before taking their first and only lead of the game with a six run eighth inning. New Haven would rally in the top of the ninth with a pair of runs before falling short. The rookie, Grzenda began the rally when he lifted his first collegiate hit over the fence in left field with one out in the frame. Russo followed that with his third hit of the day, a single to center field. He advanced to second on a fielder's choice and took third on a single through the right side from Petrillo. Riccio would drive in the final run on an infield groundout that allowed Russo to score from third.
The Chargers return to the diamond next weekend when they travel to Queens for a doubleheader against the Knights. The first pitch of the day is slated for 12:00 p.m. at Queens Field.
