WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The University of New Haven baseball team celebrated Senior Day with a doubleheader sweep in a pair of Northeast-10 Conference Southwest Division games against the Saint Rose Golden Knights. The Chargers won game one 6-5 and took game two 3-1 in seven innings. New Haven is now 17-20 on the season and 10-12 in the NE-10.

In the opener, New Haven got on the board in the first inning when Robert Petrillo (Branford, Conn./Branford) doubled home TJ Riccio (Port Jeff Station, N.Y./Comsewogue) who had reached on a fielder's choice. The score remained that way until the fourth when the Golden Knights posted two runs to take a 2-1 lead.

In the fifth, the Chargers bounced back with three scores of their own. A trio of singles from Alex Palmieri (West Haven, Conn./West Haven), Joe Caico (Hopedale, Mass./Worcester (MA)) and James Myers (Saint James, N.Y./Smithtown East) loaded the bases before a fielder's choice from Russo brought in Palmieri. Back-to-back RBI singles by Nick Perrelli (North Branford, Conn./North Branford) and Riccio pushed the advantage to 4-2. An insurance run came across in the sixth when Caico drove home Andrew Garcia (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue Medford) who singled to lead off the inning.

That insurance run was critical as Saint Rose tied the game with three runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game at 5-5. New Haven had the final say, however, as with runners on the corners, a 3-2 pitch to Petrillo bounced to the backstop, allowing Perrelli to score the winning run.

Tim Kennedy (Ridge, N.Y./Longwood) (2-0) got the win in relief, pitching 2.1 scoreless innings. Brian Caselli (Stratford, Conn./Stratford) made his first career start and was on top of his game, allowing just two runs on four hits in 6.2 innings. He struck out six and did not walk a batter.

The second game was a low scoring affair. Once again, the Chargers got on the board in the first as with one out, Perrelli tripled to center and came in to score on a Petrillo ground out. The Golden Knights later tied the game with an unearned run in the fourth.

The bottom of the fifth proved to be the difference as with two out and Nick Russo (Shirley, N.Y./William Floyd) on second, Perrelli singled to plate the runner and push the Chargers on top. After a steal by Perrelli to move into scoring position, a hit by Petrillo scored him to make it 3-1.

David Palmer (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) (3-3) got the win in relief, allowing one hit and striking out two in 2.1 scoreless innings. Mike Schettino (North Branford, Conn./North Branford) started and went 4.2 frames for the New Haven, surrendering one unearned run.

Prior to the games, New Haven honored seniors TJ Riccio (Port Jeff Station, N.Y./Comsewogue), Brian Caselli (Stratford, Conn./Stratford) and Alex Palmieri (West Haven, Conn./West Haven) for their four years of service to the team.

New Haven closes the season at 17-20.