New Haven 3, Bridgeport 2 (9 Innings)

After starting the game with two strikeouts, New Haven threatened early after Cole Maucere (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon) walked to load the bases. Noah Budzik (Cromwell, Conn./Cromwell) started the two-out effort with a walk which was followed by single to center from Robert Taylor (Wolcott, Conn./The Gunnery). A first inning lead would not come to pass, however.

Timothy Woodford (Smithtown, N.Y./Happaugue) took the mound to start the game for the Chargers and made quick work of the top of the order. The graduate struck out the leadoff man before forcing a groundout to second and a flyout to left field.

New Haven continued to put men on bases as Andrew Cain (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) got the second inning started with a 1-out double to right field. Kenneth Franquiz (Bellmore. N.Y./Mepham) would advance the runner to third after legging out a single to shortstop but a double-play would end the inning before damage could be done.

Bridgeport struck first in the bottom of the second, leading off the inning with a double and a single. A sac fly to center field would bring in one while a second runner would reach home on an error during a fielder's choice.

Both teams would go down in order during the third inning. Woodford recorded two Ks in the inning as opposed to the Charger's one.

Maucere lead off the fourth inning with a single to right field before advancing to third on a wild pitch and single to left from Hunter Boag (Colts Neck, N.J./Colts Neck). New Haven would cut the deficit to one on an RBI groundout to third base from Andrew Cain (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford). Woodford kept the Purple Knights off the board, again, with a 1-2-3 inning.

After Tyler Wells (Danville, Vt./St. Johnsbury Academy) and Andrew Bianco (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) drew walks to start the fifth inning, the pair would enter scoring position on a groundout from Budzik. With one-away, Taylor drove a ball to the left-center gap to bring both runners home, giving the Chargers a 3-2 lead.

Woodford tallied another scoreless inning but not without adversity as a runner was left on base after reaching on a fielder's choice before successfully stealing second. The righty forced a groundout to end the inning as he finished the outing with three strikeouts through five innings while only allowing two hits and two walks.

After going down in order, Gary Costello (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire) took the mound for New Haven and wasted no time getting the first two outs. Despite a runner reaching base on a walk, the Chargers escaped the inning after Josh Lester (Amityville, N.Y./Copiague) threw him out at second.

The Chargers went down 1-2-3 in the seventh, as well, but Costello kept the lead in tact with a little help from right fielder Wells and shortstop Budzik. After forcing a ground out to start the inning, a walk and a single would put two runners on the bases but a lineout to right field turned into a double play at second base to end the peril.

New Haven still string anything together in the eighth inning but closer Drew Silverman (Commack, N.Y./Commack) shutdown the side, as well. Cain drew a walk to leadoff the ninth but was caught stealing second before Wells's single to right field.

With just a one run lead, Silverman was called on once again to secure the win, this time in a six-out save opportunity. The junior closer did just that, punching out the final batter despite allowing a two-out double down the right field line. Silverman has now totaled four saves on the season as he continues to lead the NE10.

NEXT ON TAP
Now 8-3 on the season, the Chargers will play one more game in Bridgeport on Wednesday. First pitch for that game is scheduled for 3:00 PM at Seaside Park.