Game 1 - New Haven 7, West Virginia State 5 (7 Innings)

The Chargers opened with a 7-5 win in their Saturday opener to extend their win streak to four games.

With Bryan Pazulski (Media, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) on the mound for game one, the Charger's offense struck first, taking a two run lead in the top of the first.

The Yellow Jackets answered back with a first inning run of their own before a runner would come around to score in the bottom of the second, as well, to tie the game at two.

West Virginia added another run in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game at three after the Chargers took the lead in the third.

New Haven broke out in the the top of the sixth where they tallied four runs. The Yellow Jacket's began to mount a comeback but fell short after getting two back in the bottom of the sixth. 

Drew Silverman (Commack, N.Y./Commack) struck out the final batter of the game after Kyle Allen (Middle Island, N.Y./Longwood) forced two outs and walked a pair.

Noah Budzik (Cromwell, Conn./Cromwell) went three for four in the winning effort, racking up two runs and two RBIs. Also recording two RBIs was outfielder Robert Taylor (Wolcott, Conn./The Gunnery), who singled and tripled in the game.

Andre Cain and Hunter Boag (Colts Neck, N.J./Colts Neck) both singled twice and scored once in the victory with the former drawing a walk, as well.

Cole Maucere (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon), Aaron Soucy (Brooklyn, Conn./The Pomfret School) and Tyler Wells (Danville, Vt./St. Johnsbury Academy) all tallied a hit while Maucere and Wells were credited with an RBI, the latter also scored a run and reached bases on a walk.

 

Game 2 - West Virginia State 5, New Haven 4 (7 Innings)

The Yellow Jackets evened the series at one a piece as the Chargers' comeback attempt fell just short in a 4-5 loss.

Graduate Timothy Woodford (Smithtown, N.Y./Happaugue) got the nod to start game two against West Virginia State, starting the game strong before facing adversity. Despite tossing three shutout innings, Woodford was tagged for four runs in the top of the third. The south-paw allowed nine hits through four innings in the outing, while striking out three.

Gary Costello (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire) took the mound in the top of the fifth but the Yellow Jackets were able to add an insurance run to take a 5-0 lead over the Chargers.

After chipping away at the deficit with a lone run in both the bottom of the fifth and the sixth, Matthew Minio (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) made quick work of Yellow Jackets in the top of the seventh to give New Haven a chance. The Chargers got on the closer right away, scoring two early runs in the final inning.

The comeback bid ultimately fell short as New Haven couldn't capitalize on the opportunity.

Budzik once again led the Chargers' offense with two hits but it was freshman Cole Maucere (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon), who continues to pile up timely hits, this time driving home two runs in the loss. Maucere has now plated at least one batter in five consecutive games for a team leading seven RBIs.

Boag made the start for game two at the hot corner, drawing a walk and recording an RBI, as well. 

Andrew Bianco (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park), Budzik, Robert Taylor (Wolcott, Conn./The Gunnery), Brett Reedy (Enfield, Conn./Enfield) and Robert Taylor (Wolcott, Conn./The Gunnery) all crossed home in the effort, the latter reaching base twice on walks.

NEXT UP
The University of New Haven baseball team will close out their weekend series in Cary, N.C. with a morning matchup with Saint Thomas Aquinas. First pitch for that game is scheduled for 11:00 AM at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.