WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The University of New Haven baseball team (11-4, 5-2 NE10) scattered nine hits, including the first career home run for rookie outfielder Matt Chamberlain (North Branford, Conn./North Branford), but dropped a 5-4 decision to the visiting Southern Connecticut State University Owls on Wednesday afternoon at Vieira Field.
Chamberlain's home run, which he lifted well over the fence in right field, was his only hit in four at bats as he joined eight other player who all finished with at least one hit. The only Charger to complete a multi-hit afternoon was junior Joe Caico (Hopedale, Mass./Worcester (MA)) who finished 2-for-4 at the plate while also driving in one run. Andrew Garcia (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue Medford) joined Caico and Chamberlain with an RBI on the day.
On the hill, senior southpaw Vincent Aprea (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y./Comsewogue) suffered the loss, his second in three decisions. Aprea surrendered all five runs to the Owls on six hits, while striking out a game-high six batters. Overall, New Haven used five different pitchers with Collin Keyes and Connor Moriarty (Branford, Conn./Branford) combining to pitch the sixth inning. Lefthander Josh Walker (Otisville, N.Y./Minisink Valley) threw 2.1 innings, only giving up one hit, while Kellen Croce (Middlebury, Conn./Gunnery School / Maine) picked up the final two outs for the Chargers pitching staff.
How they Scored
· New Haven got on the board right out of the gates, scoring a pair of runs with two outs in the bottom of the first. Left fielder Rob Petrillo kicked off the rally with a two out double to right field and was able to score thanks to a pair of miscues, the first a wild pitch and the second a passed ball that got away from the catcher and allowed him to score from third easily.
· During that passed ball, designated hitter Nick Perelli advanced to second after originally reaching on a walk. Another walk would be issued to third baseman Jack Zagaja (Merrick, N.Y./St. Dominic) putting a pair of runners on base for right fielder Joe Caico (Hopedale, Mass./Worcester (MA)) who fired a double down the first base line that tricked into the corner allowing Perelli to score from second and putting Zagaja and Caico in scoring position.
· After surrendering five runs in the top of the fifth inning, the Chargers began to chip into what was a three-run deficit with single runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings. In the bottom of the fifth, the Blue and Gold again rallied with two outs in the frame. Zagaja would begin a stretch of three-straight singles with his falling into the left centerfield gap. Caico followed with a single to right center putting runners on first and second for first baseman Andrew Garcia (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue Medford) who drilled the third-straight hit down the right field line allowing Zagaja to score from second.
· The lone run in the sixth for New Haven came with one swing of the bat as rookie centerfielder Matt Chamberlain (North Branford, Conn./North Branford) sailed the first pitch of the inning high over the right field fence for his first collegiate home run. That long ball for Chamberlain also chased the Owls starting pitcher, Cole Bryant, from the game.
· After that pitching change, the Chargers would threaten to tie the game as Tom Walraven (Pine Bush, N.Y./Pine Bush) followed Chamberlain's home run with a double down the left field line before the Owls reliever Quantique White shutdown New Haven, retiring the next 11 batters in order. He would surrender one more hit, a two-out single to Nick Perelli in the bottom of the ninth, but went on to pick up his first save of the season.
Next Up
New Haven is scheduled to play its next four games in the Granite State as they begin a four-game weekend with a Saturday doubleheader at Franklin Pierce. First pitch against the Ravens is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
