Hockessin, Del. – In its only action of the weekend, The University of New Haven baseball team (15-7) completed a two-game sweep on the road over the Goldey-Beacom Lightning, winning the opener by way of a 3-0 shutout and posting a 4-3 win in game two.

Leading the Blue and Gold at the plate was designated hitter Joe Caico (Hopedale, Mass./Worcester (MA)) who finished with three combined hits, two in the opener and one in game two. Two of his three hits went for two bases while he also drove in a run. Also completing a multi-hit outing on the day was catcher PJ Contreras (Hauppauge, N.Y./Hauppauge) and third baseman Jack Zagaja (Merrick, N.Y./St. Dominic). Centerfielder Matt Chamberlain (North Branford, Conn./North Branford) and first baseman Andrew Garcia (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue Medford) also combined for two hits on the day, one in each game.

Earning the victory in the opening game was junior David Palmer (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) who completed his fourth victory with his first complete game and first shutout of the year. Overall, Palmer allowed four hits while striking out seven.

In game two, four pitchers would combine to strikeout 11 Lightning batters, led by Tim Kennedy (Ridge, N.Y./Longwood) who earned the decision, pitching a pair of scoreless innings to close out the game. He finished with five strikeouts, allowing just one hit. Senior Kellen Croce (Middlebury, Conn./Gunnery School / Maine) also pitched a scoreless inning for the Chargers, striking out the side in the sixth inning.

Game One Highlights

·         New Haven broke a scoreless draw pushing three runs across the plate in the fourth inning. With one out recorded, the Chargers rattled off three straight hits, the final of which was a double to right field from Joe Caico (Hopedale, Mass./Worcester (MA)) which drove in Nick Perrelli (North Branford, Conn./North Branford) who reach on an infield single.

·         Jack Zagaja (Merrick, N.Y./St. Dominic) provided the other hit in that rally, a single through the left side, scoring thanks to a groundout with rookie outfielder Matt Chamberlain (North Branford, Conn./North Branford) recording the RBI.

·         Caico was the last to be rewarded when first baseman Andrew Garcia (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue Medford) drove him in from third with a single to left center, the fourth hit of the inning.

·         Overall, New Haven scattered eight hits in the opening game, led by Zagaja and Caico who each finished with two hits in three at bats. The remaining four hits all came from different players.

·         Junior David Palmer (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) earned his fourth victory of the season, also his first complete game and first shutout of the year. Overall, Palmer allowed four hits and walked one batter, while striking out seven. He would strand four Lightning runners on base.

Game Two Highlights

·         Goldey-Beacom struck first in the second game, posting a single run in the first inning. The Chargers answered back with single spots in the second and third inning to take a 2-1 lead.

·         In the second inning, Caico led off the rally with a one-out double to right center and advanced to third on a fielding error at short. He would then be rewarded as catcher PJ Contreras (Hauppauge, N.Y./Hauppauge) gave himself up on a fly ball to right field, knotting the game at one.

·         Another two-base hit sparked New Haven's second run when shortstop Tom Walraven (Pine Bush, N.Y./Pine Bush) led off the third inning with a double to right center. He advanced to third on an infield groundout and took advantage of a two-out wild pitch to provide the first lead of the contest for the Chargers.

·         The Lightning quickly tied the game at two with a single run in the bottom of the third before taking a one-run lead on an RBI single in the fifth inning.

·         The Blue and Gold tied the game in the top of the seventh inning with a two-out rally. Contreras led off the inning with a single to left center before advancing into scoring position on a sac bunt from pinch hitter Billy Huber (Hauppauge, N.Y./Hauppauge). After the Lightning registered the second out, Chamberlain came through clutch driving a double through the left side that allowed Contreras to score from second, tying the game at three.

·         New Haven capitalized on Goldey-Beacom mistakes to score the go-ahead and eventual game-winning runs in the top of the eighth inning when the first two batters of the inning each reached on infield errors. The first at third base allowed Perrelli to reach and advance to second base. He was able to score on the next error, this one by the catcher on a sacrifice opportunity by Zagaja.

·         Overall, New Haven finished with seven hits in game two, led by Contreras who finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, the only player to record a multi-hit game. The remaining five hits all came from different players, while four of the seven hits went down as doubles. The Chargers also succumbed just one by way of a strikeout.

·         Earning the victory among four pitchers used by the Chargers was junior Tim Kennedy (Ridge, N.Y./Longwood) who pitched the final two innings without allowing a run and erasing five batters with strikeouts. Overall, the Chargers pitching staff recorded 11 strikeouts in the game.

Next Up
New Haven will return to the Nutmeg State for a tile with crosstown rival Southern Connecticut State University. This second battle in the three-game season series will be contested on Tuesday, April 18 at The Ballpark at SCSU with a first pitch schedule for 3:30 p.m.