ADELPHI, N.Y. - The University of New Haven baseball team dropped both of their games on Saturday afternoon against the Adelphi Panthers. After falling 5-7 in game one, the Charger's comeback effort in game two came just short, 6-7.

Game 1 - New Haven 5, Adelphi 7 (7 Innings)
Following a split of Friday's doubleheader, the Chargers turned to Thomas Eletto (Locust Valley, N.Y./Locust Valley) to start the second day slate. Entering the game with a 4-1 record, Eletto faced some hardship in the bottom of the first. After retiring the Chargers in order, the Panther's leadoff man came aboard on a triple to right field. The runner crossed on a sacrifice foul out to right field before a second run was plated on a sac fly to straight away center.

The Chargers answered in the top of the second after Andrew Cain (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) laced a single through the left side to lead off the side. Cain wouldn't have to wait long as Andrew Bianco (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park), who went 5-6 on Friday, delivered again with a two-run homerun to left field. The homerun was Bianco's second in as many games and his fifth on the season. Josh Lester (Amityville, N.Y./Copiague) followed up the big shot by poking a single through the left side before Dylan Chiaro (Southington, Conn./Southington) drew a six-pitch walk. The duo advanced on a successful sacrifice bunt by Hunter Boag (Colts Neck, N.J./Colts Neck) and were later driven in on a single up the middle by Kenneth Franquiz (Bellmore. N.Y./Mepham).

With a 4-2 lead going into the bottom of the second, a pair of runners would reach to lead off the side, one on a fielding error and one on a walk. Seeking to escape the jam, Eletto succeeded after striking out the next two batters before forcing a groundout to second base.

Bianco continued to get on base for the Chargers, drawing a one-out walk before advancing on a wild pitch. However, back-to-back groundouts would leave Bianco stranded on second base.

The bottom of the third began much like the first for the Panthers with a leadoff triple down the left line. Although Eletto recorded a punch out following the triple, a sacrifice fly to left field would bring home the run, cutting the deficit to one.

New Haven added to their lead with a homerun to left field from Boag, his second of the season. Back to a two-run deficit, the Panthers continued to mount up hits in the leadoff spot, beginning the bottom of the fourth with a double to left field. The run would not come to pass, however, as Eletto forced a lineout to left field to strand the runner on third.

Robert Taylor (Wolcott, Conn./The Gunnery) reached base on a infield single to begin the top of the fifth before advancing on a throwing error. The single marks his 15th game with at least one hit out of his last 16.

After holding the Chargers to a scoreless inning, the Panthers tied the game at five on a two-run homerun, scoring the leadoff man, who drew a walk. Adelphi took the late lead after going deep for the second time in the inning, going back-to-back.

The Panthers would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth after a double down the third base line plated the leadoff man, who reached base on an infield single to shortstop.

Although the Chargers began the top of the seventh with a walk from Noah Budzik (Cromwell, Conn./Cromwell). Budzik would advance to second on a wild pitch after a pair of flyouts but was left on base as the Chargers fell 5-7.

Eletto yielded 10 hits and four walks across 5.2 innings while striking out three, picking up his second loss of the season.

Game 2 - New Haven 6, Adelphi 7 (9 Innings)
Looking to rebound in the second game, the Chargers turned to Liam Carroll (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) to right the ship. The freshman southpaw got off to a hot start after striking out the side in the first inning.

The Chargers would see their first base runner with two outs in the top of the second after Boag singled to up the middle. Carroll continued to grind, recording another two strikeouts after forcing a groundout to second. 

Chiaro led off the top of the third with a double to left field before scoring on a sacrifice fly from Tyler Wells (Danville, Vt./St. Johnsbury Academy). Franquiz, who reached on a dropped third strike, advanced three times on wild pitches before eventually scoring, as well.

The Panthers would get one run back after starting the bottom half of the inning with a single to center field. A double down the left field line would bring home the run but a one-out single would put runners on the corners. After a successful steal put both in scoring position, Carroll punched out another two batters to escape the jam.

The southpaw struck out one more batter in the fourth after the Charger's offense went down in order. After another 1-2-3 inning for the Chargers, the Panthers began the fifth with a ground rule double to left field. New Haven recorded an out on a fielder's choice but the run would score regardless on a two-run homerun. Carroll remained focus, however, striking out the next two batters he faced.

The Chargers still couldn't rack up a base runner, going down in order, yet again. The freshman resumed his outing with two more strikeouts in the sixth inning, finishing his day with 13.

Although Cain led off the seventh with a single to left field, advancing to second on a foul out, but he'd be left stranded. After McNiff came in to relieve Carroll, the Panthers would add two runs in insurance on a double and a sacrifice fly.

With two outs, Wells drew a walk before Budzik singled to center field. Despite both advancing on the throw, the pair would be left on base after a pop up extinguished the threat.

A leadoff walk and a one-out single would put runners on the corners for Adelphi prior to a two-run double to the right center gap. With a man in scoring position and two-outs, McNiff recorded the strikeout to limit the damage.

Seeking a five run inning for the comeback, the top of the ninth started off with a single up the middle by Cain. Cain advanced to second on a groundout before successfully stealing third base. The run would cross on a single to center field by Boag. With two outs, Chairo drew a walk to get on before Franquiz drove a three-run shot to left field, his fourth of the year and third of the series. The comeback effort fell just short, however, as a fly ball retired the side.

Carroll allowed six hits and one walk across six innings while striking out a season-high 13 batters. The Chargers now fall to 17-14 on the season and 3-9 in conference play.

NEXT UP
The University of New Haven baseball team will head home for a one game matchup with the Molloy Lions on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM at Frank Vieira Field.