SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The University of New Haven baseball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Dick Rockwell Field. The Charges fell in the opening game 10-4 before a late rally came one run short, dropping a 3-2 decision in game two. Following the day's action, the Chargers stand at 14-19 overall and 7-11 in the Northeast-10 Conference.
At the plate, the Chargers were led by first baseman Andrew Garcia (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue Medford) who combined for two of the 10 total UNH hits on the day, while also driving in three runs. All three RBI for Garcia came in the opening game, while his two hits were split over the two games. With his two hits against Le Moyne, Garcia has now hit safely in 13 of the last 14 games.
The Chargers 10 total hits on the day came from eight different players. In the opening game, the Blue and Gold finished with seven total hits, all coming from different players, while the three hits in game two also came from different players. Joining Garcia with one hit in each of the two games was catcher TJ Riccio (Port Jeff Station, N.Y./Comsewogue). Just one of the 10 UNH hits on the day went for extra bases, a three-run home run to right center for Garcia, his first long ball of the season.
On the hill, Kellen Croce (Middlebury, Conn./Gunnery School) suffered the loss in the opening game, his fourth of the season in eight decisions. In four innings of work, Croce gave up eight runs, six of which were earned, on eight hits and a walk. He also struck out one batter. Josh Walker (Otisville, N.Y./Minisink Valley) and Brandon Cruz (Brentwood, N.Y./St. Anthony's) both made appearances out of the bullpen with Walker pitching three frames and Cruz one. Both also gave up one run, while combining to allow five hits and strike out one each.
In game two, David Palmer (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) suffered the loss, his third in five total decisions. Palmer pitched five innings and allowed the only three Le Moyne runs in the game, all earned. Overall, he gave up five hits and walked four batters while striking out three. Vincent Aprea (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y./Comsewogue), Luke Foster (Stonington, Conn./Stonington) and Tim Kennedy (Ridge, N.Y./Longwood) all pitched one inning in relief of Palmer with Aprea not allowing a hit in his single frame of work.
Joining Garcia in driving in a run in the opener was Nick Russo (Shirley, N.Y./William Floyd) whose single through the left side in the second inning came with the bases loaded, allowing Riccio to score. Garcia's home run in the opener came in the eighth inning as the Chargers looked to erase an eight run deficit. He drove in Eddie Tammaro (South Hempstead, N.Y./South Side) and Alex Palmier with his first home run of the season.
In the second game, Riccio and Tammaro would each drive in runs, both in the ninth inning as New Haven looked to rally, trailing 3-0 in the final inning. Robert Petrillo (Branford, Conn./Branford) and Jack Zagaja (Merrick, N.Y./St. Dominic) led off the inning by reaching on walks. With runners on first and second, Riccio's second hit of the day was a single up the middle that allowed Petrillo to score and left runners at first and second.
After a sacrifice bunt by Garcia pushed both runners into scoring position, Zagaja was able to score as Tammaro grounded out to second. Le Moyne's Dylan Swetman, who entered after the first two batters reached on walks, secured the victory with a strikeout to end the UNH threat.
With Sunday's series finale against the Dolphins cancelled due to impending weather, the Chargers will return to action on Tuesday afternoon when they open up a four-game homestand with a single game against the Pace Setters. First pitch from Vieira Field is slated for 1:00 p.m.
