Pace 4, New Haven 7 (9 Innings)

Thomas Eletto (Locust Valley, N.Y./Locust Valley) started on the mound for the Chargers to kick off the Friday afternoon contest. The senior got right to work, forcing two early ground outs before striking out the final batter after allowing a walk.

Cole Maucere (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon) worked a full count as the lead off batter to reach on a walk. After Noah Budzik (Cromwell, Conn./Cromwell) successfully laid down a sac bunt, Maucere took off for third base before crossing home on a throwing error by the catcher.

Despite allowing a lead off single to start the top of the second, Eletto bounced back with a little help from catcher Josh Lester (Amityville, N.Y./Copiague). Lester caught the runner taking off for second as Eletto punched out the batter, resulting in a double play. The senior then followed it up with another K to get out of the inning.

The Chargers looked to grow their lead in the bottom of the second after a lead off walk from Andrew Cain (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) but the effort was extinguished on a diving double play from the Pace third baseman. The Setters wouldn't go down quietly as a one-out bloop single would set the stage for a RBI double to deep center. With runners on the corners, Eletto tightened up to force two outs to escape the jam. 

With one away in the bottom of the third, Kenneth Franquiz (Bellmore. N.Y./Mepham) drove the ball to the right center gap for a double. However, he'd be left stranded as the Chargers couldn't find the open grass.

The Setters went down in order, to start the fourth inning, in part to a pair of sharp defensive plays including a snag from Franquiz  and a chase down fly out by Wells. Eletto recorded another K in the inning, his fourth of the game.

Robert Taylor (Wolcott, Conn./The Gunnery) started the Chargers side of the inning with a single to left field. Tyler Wells (Danville, Vt./St. Johnsbury Academy) dropped one into the left field grass on the first pitch before legging out a double. With two runners in scoring position, Cain laced one through the left side to plate both, giving the Chargers a 3-1 lead. The inning wouldn't end there, however, as Andrew Bianco (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) joined in on the hit parade with an RBI single to left field, as well. Still with no outs, Lester roped one down the left field line for a double, putting two runners in scoring position with no outs, before Franquiz brought them home on a single over the second baseman's glove. Maucere, who's been a major run producer for the team, came through again with an RBI triple to right center as Franquiz dodged the tag at the plate to score, capping off a six run inning for the Chargers. 

Following the big inning, the Setters loaded the bases with only one out. Eletto wouldn't falter, however, forcing a foul out and grounder back to the mound to avoid trouble.

Wells started the inning with a bloop single to left field before advance to second on an error.  With one out, Bianco dropped one into center field to put runners on the corners but a double play would end the chance at another big inning for New Haven.

The Chargers started the top of the sixth with a diving play by Cain to record the foul out. After allowing a walk with two outs, Eletto flashed the leather by snagging a comebacker to end the inning. 

New Haven faced adversity in the eighth with a one-out double and a single to put runners on the corners. A quick relay from Maucere on a fly out would temporarily prevent the run but a double to deep left would cut the deficit to five. Cam Guarino (Falmouth, Maine/Falmouth) relieved Eletto to get out of the inning but a fielding error would allow a second run to cross for the Setters. With bases juiced, Maucere made a great defensive play, backing up to the wall to make the final out of the inning. 

Lester started the eighth by legging out an infield single before advancing on a sac bunt from Budzik. A wild pitch allowed the catcher to take third but he was left there on an inning ending strikeout. 

Drew Silverman (Commack, N.Y./Commack) was called on to finish off the ninth inning. After walking the lead off man, the closer allowed a single to left field to put runners on first and third.  A deep fly ball to center field would bring in one run for the Setters, cutting the deficit to three runs. Silverman came back with a double play grounder to short stop to secure the victory for New Haven.

NEXT UP
The University of New Haven baseball team will play Pace again for a double-header on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for noon at Frank Vieira Field.