Post 2, New Haven 13 (9 Innings)

Freshman south-paw Liam Carroll (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) was named starter for the fourth game of the season and he wasted no time getting through the first inning, retiring the side despite a batter reaching on a fielding error.

New Haven's offense started where it left off as Tyler Wells (Danville, Vt./St. Johnsbury Academy) drove one to center field before making his way to third for a triple. Andrew Bianco (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) didn't keep the junior outfielder on the bases long as he gave the Chargers an early lead on an RBI single back up the middle. A Noah Budzik (Cromwell, Conn./Cromwell) single to center field advanced Bianco to second but a pair of errors at the plate allowed the junior first baseman to score.

Even with the leadoff batter reaching on an error, Carroll remained unfazed, retiring the next three for another quick inning.

The Blue and Gold threatened right away to start the second inning after Andrew Cain (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) drew a leadoff walk and Brett Reedy (Enfield, Conn./Enfield) singled to right. After a successful double-steal, the pair was left stranded in scoring position on a two-out grounder to shortstop.

The freshman continued to cook on the mound, allowing one hit and striking out one across the four batters he faced. The third was also uneventful for the Chargers as all three went down by way of the K.

Post had a chance to cut the deficit after the leadoff man was hit by a pitch. A double-play would clear the bases but a two-out double to left followed by a successful steal would put a runner on third. Carroll avoided the threat with a clutch two-out strikeout, a swinging K for his second of the game.

The Chargers suffered a similar fate in the fourth after Dylan Chiaro (Southington, Conn./Southington) was plunked to start the side. The senior outfielder stole second before making his way to third on a groundout. Wells drew a two-out walk before taking off for second but the two would be left in scoring position after a strikeout ended the inning.

New Haven added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth after Budzik, who drew a leadoff walk, was plated on a Cole Maucere (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon) triple to right field.

Carroll handed the hill over to senior Gary Costello (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire), who worked a 1-2-3 inning which included a strikeout. Carroll allowed three hits and a walk through five innings while striking out two and hitting a batter.

The Eagles would get there first run on a single up the middle to score the leadoff man, who was hit by a pitch before advancing on a wild pitch and a bunt. Cam Guarino (Falmouth, Maine/Falmouth) came in to relieve Costello, striking out one and allowing a hit before escaping the jam.

The seventh inning is when New Haven really broke open the lead after the first two batters walked to start the inning. Maucere reached on a fielding error which allowed Budzik and Robert Taylor (Wolcott, Conn./The Gunnery) to score, Maucere then scored on an RBI groundout to second by Aaron Soucy (Brooklyn, Conn./The Pomfret School). Cain laced a double to left field to plate Chiaro, who was hit by a pitch for the second time in the game. Reedy and Wells each drew a walk as the bases were juiced with one out while Cain and Reedy would cross home on wild pitches.

Junior Drew Silverman (Commack, N.Y./Commack) took the mound to start the eighth, recording a 1-2-3 inning including one strikeout.

Not satisfied with the lead, the Chargers continued to pile on after Cain singled to left field to score Taylor, who reached on a fielding error. Reedy beat out the fielder's choice to load the bases before Soucy, who walked earlier in the inning, score on a passed ball. The bases were juiced again after Wells took a walk as Bianco followed it up by drawing a walk of his own to score Cain. The Eagles would walk another run in to give the Chargers a 13-1 lead, this time with Budzik working the count.

The final inning didn't go as easily as Silverman would've liked as he struck out two but also allowed a homerun to right field before forcing a line out to secure the victory for New Haven.
 

NEXT ON TAP
Up next, the New Haven baseball team will head to Cary, N.C. for a three game stint starting with the Frostburg State Bobcats. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. on Friday, March 4 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.