WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The University of New Haven baseball team (20-9, 11-7 NE10 opened up its final home series with a 4-0 win over the visiting Le Moyne Dolphins on Senior Day at Vieira Field. Leading the Charge for New Haven junior right hander David Palmer (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) who pitched an eight inning shutout, allowing four hits overall, two of which came over the first seven innings.

Palmer threw a total of 112 pitches on the day surrendering three walks to go along with the four hits. He also struck out seven batters while getting some spectacular help from his defense thanks to a diving catch from shortstop Tom Walraven (Pine Bush, N.Y./Pine Bush) and a bullet to second from catcher PJ Contreras (Hauppauge, N.Y./Hauppauge) to keep clean slate alive.

Third baseman Jack Zagaja (Merrick, N.Y./St. Dominic) and right fielder Nick Perrelli (North Branford, Conn./North Branford) each scattered a team-best two hits on the day while both also drove in a run. Overall, New Haven finished with seven hits against the Dolphin's No. 1 starter Damian Powers who suffered the loss. New Haven also combined for six stolen bases on the day, led by Walraven who finished with a pair.  

Prior to the game, the Chargers honored their seven member senior class consisting of left fielder Robert Petrillo (Branford, Conn./Branford), second baseman Nick Russo (Shirley, N.Y./William Floyd), pitcher Connor Moriarty (Branford, Conn./Branford), outfielder Eddie Tammaro (South Hempstead, N.Y./South Side), right fielder Nick Perrelli (North Branford, Conn./North Branford), pitcher Vincent Aprea (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y./Comsewogue) and pitcher Mike Schettino (North Branford, Conn./North Branford). Overall, the senior class has been a part of 77 wins and made three trips to the NE10 Conference Championship and an appearance in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

HIGHLIGHTS

·         The Chargers got started early on Senior Day plating a pair of runs in the bottom of the third, thanks in part to a leadoff walk and an error on a sacrifice attempt that put the first two runners on base. After a pop-up registered the first out, senior right fielder Nick Perrelli (North Branford, Conn./North Branford) drove in the first run of the day with the Blue and Gold's first hit of the contest, a single to left field.

·         After the runners on first and second used a double steal to get both in scoring position, the pair took advantage of a wild pitch between the legs of the Dolphins catcher, allowing Tom Walraven (Pine Bush, N.Y./Pine Bush) to score.

·         New Haven started David Palmer (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) pitched an eight inning gem, allowing four hits total, two of which came over his first seven innings of work.

·         Included in those first seven innings were five three-up, three-down stanzas, which also included an incredible defensive play at short when Walraven pulled in a line drive in shallow left, tumbling at the end of the play but securing the out.

·         After giving up back-to-back hits to open up the eighth inning, Palmer worked out of trouble thanks again to a great defensive play, this time from catcher PJ Contreras (Hauppauge, N.Y./Hauppauge) as he fired a bullet down to second to erase the lead runner on a stolen base attempt.

·         The Chargers followed that impressive hold in the top of the eighth by adding a pair of insurance runs in the bottom half of the inning. Overall, New Haven finished with three hits in the frame, including a leadoff single from Walraven. He would steal second and advance to third on a wild pitch before being driven home on a two-out infield single from Jack Zagaja (Merrick, N.Y./St. Dominic).

·         Zagaja would then be rewarded when Caico tripled off the base of the fence in right center, the only extra base hit of the day for New Haven.

·         Closing out the game on the hill for the Chargers was lefty Josh Walker (Otisville, N.Y./Minisink Valley) who gave up the lone run to the Dolphins on a hit and two walks. He capped off the victory with a strikeout, one of a pair in his single frame of work.

Next Up
New Haven closes out its final home series of the season on Sunday afternoon with a doubleheader against the Dolphins. First pitch on Sunday is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.