RINDGE, N.H. – Four University of New Haven baseball players finished with multi-hit outings as the Chargers dropped both ends of a doubleheader against the Franklin Pierce Ravens on Saturday at Pappas Field. Leading the Blue and Gold offense overall on the day was third baseman Jack Zagaja (Merrick, N.Y./St. Dominic) who finished with three hits and an RBI combined over the twinbill.

Zagaja and designated hitter Nick Perelli would each finish with two hits in the opening game, while they were joined by first baseman Andrew Garcia (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue Medford) all driving in one of the three runs in the opener. In game two, second baseman Nick Russo (Shirley, N.Y./William Floyd) and right fielder Joe Caico (Hopedale, Mass./Worcester (MA)) led the New Haven bats, each finishing with a pair of hits, while combined the Chargers scattered six hits total.

On the mound, senior southpaw Josh Walker (Otisville, N.Y./Minisink Valley) suffered the loss in the opener, giving up one run in 1.1 innings of relief work. His one run allowed, an earned run, came on two hits while he struck out four. Junior righty David Palmer (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) started on the hill, pitching seven innings and surrendering three earned runs on seven hits and a walk. He also struck out four.

In game two, freshman right hander Devon DiMascio (Mansfield, Mass./Xaverian Brothers) suffered his first loss of the season, pitching four complete innings and giving up all three of the Ravens runs, just one of which was earned. Overall, DiMascio allowed four hits and walked two batters while striking out a pair. Junior righty Will Aldam (Danbury, Conn./Berkshire School) closed out the game for New Haven, pitching four shutout innings, surrendering a pair of hits and striking out two batters.

Game One Highlights

·         After surrendering a first inning run to the Ravens, both teams played scoreless ball over the next four frames before the Chargers broke the drought and took a 2-1 lead with a pair of runs in the sixth inning.

·         After a leadoff groundout, the next four New Haven batters all reached safely, only one of which came on a hit, a single to left for left fielder Robert Petrillo (Branford, Conn./Branford). The other three batters were all hit by a pitch, with the last in that stretch resulting in an RBI for Zagaja when he forced in Russo. Garcia would register the second RBI of the inning when with two outs he drove in Petrillo on another single to left.

·         New Haven would add one more run in the top of the seventh inning, taking advantage of an error against the Ravens that left runners on the corners with no outs. After back-to-back strikeouts, Perelli registered his second hit of the game, a single through the left side that allowed rookie centerfielder Matt Chamberlain (North Branford, Conn./North Branford) to score after reaching on a single. On the same play, Tom Walraven (Pine Bush, N.Y./Pine Bush) was thrown out at the plate, looking to score two on Perelli's single.

·         Franklin Pierce evened the score with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh before scoring the eventual game-winning run in walk off fashion thanks to a wild pitch.

Game Two Highlights

·         Franklin Pierce struck early in game two, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning, and never looked back from the early 2-0 lead.

·         The Chargers threatened to break the shutout out in the second inning when they scattered back-to-back hits from Zagaja and Caico with one out, but weren't able to capitalize.

·         A leadoff bunt single for Russo nearly paid off in the fourth inning when he stole second and eventually advanced to third. He would remain stranded 90 feet away as the Ravens pitcher forced a groundout and foul out and closed out the frame with a strikeout.

·         Another double, this time for Walraven, came with one out in the sixth inning, but he would be unable to score as the Ravens closed out the inning with a double play after issuing a walk.

·         The Blue and Gold threatened one more time in the eighth inning, stranding a pair of runners on base after Chamberlain walked and Russo beat out an infield single, but both would be left stranded following a groundout that ended the inning.

Next Up
New Haven closes out a four-game weekend in the Granite State with a Sunday afternoon doubleheader against the Southern New Hampshire Penmen. First pitch in the opening game is slated for 2:00 p.m.