DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – The No. 23 University of New Haven baseball team (6-0) remained perfect on the year with a non-conference doubleheader sweep at Mercy College (3-9) on Sunday afternoon. Despite the frigid temperatures and strong winds, New Haven racked up 22 hits and posted 10 runs in game two, the fifth out of six games this season scoring 10 or more runs.
 
Sophomore Matt Chamberlain (North Branford, Conn./North Branford) finished with three hits on the day with two RBI, and graduate student Tom Walraven (Pine Bush, N.Y./Pine Bush) also had three hits with a double and also knocked in two runs. Junior Andrew Garcia (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue Medford) had three hits and scored twice, and sophomore Billy Huber (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) went 2-for-4 in game one and drove in a run. Freshman Andrew Cain (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) had a spectacular performance at the plate in the second game, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and four runs scored. In addition, junior James Myers (Saint James, N.Y./Smithtown East) went 2-for-2 at the plate in game one.
 
Game 1: New Haven 4, Mercy 0
 
After a scoreless first four innings for each team, New Haven finally broke the ice in the top of the fifth when junior PJ Contreras (Hauppauge, N.Y./Hauppauge) got things started with a single to center field. Two batters later, Chamberlain knocked a gapper to right-center field and used his speed to get all the way around the bases, sliding head first into home while avoiding the tag for an inside-the-park home run. An inning later, it was déjà vu all over again as Caico ripped a shot over the center fielder's head and beat the relay home for another inside-the-park home run as New Haven extended its lead over the Mavericks, 3-0. New Haven tacked on an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning with Myers scoring from second base on a Chamberlain fly ball to center field.
 
Senior David Palmer (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) tossed a gem on the mound; a complete-game shutout with seven strikeouts while only surrendering two hits in 7.0 innings of work. In all, Palmer retired the side in order five times and did not allow a hit until the fourth inning.
 
Game 2: New Haven 10, Mercy 4
 
The Blue and Gold scored in all but one inning as the Charger offense continued to roll into game two against the Mavericks with 10 runs on 14 hits. Walraven doubled home Huber in the first inning before New Haven added four runs in the top of the second. With the bases loaded, Contreras doubled down the left field line, scoring freshman Rob Giovanelli (Manhasset, N.Y./Manhasset) and Garcia. Huber then scored Cain on a sac fly with New Haven leading 4-1 midway through the second inning.
 
The Chargers had another big inning in the top of the fifth, plating three runs on one hit to stretch out the lead, 8-1. During the rally, Cain reached on an infield single to the shortstop with Giovanelli and Garcia each scoring on the hit.
 
The Mavericks came back with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning as the bats came alive with a home run and a triple, but senior Will Aldam (Danbury, Conn./Berkshire School) worked out of his own jam with two strikeouts and a fly out to end the inning. Cain homered to left field to as the leadoff batter in the top of the seventh, increasing the score to 9-3, and freshman George Pappas (Binghamton, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) added a run, reaching on a fielder's choice.
 
Senior Tim Kennedy (Ridge, N.Y./Longwood) improved his record to 2-0 on the year and 11-0 in his career, working through 5.0 innings with three strikeouts. Aldam and senior Brandon Cruz (Brentwood, N.Y./St. Anthony's) each pitched an inning in relief.  
 
Up Next:

New Haven makes an appearance at Frank Vieira Field for the 2018 home opener on Tuesday, March 6 for a non-conference game against Bridgeport at 3:00 pm. Following that game, New Haven will travel down to the Sunshine State for four games between March 10 and March 14.