GAME DAY INFORMATION DATE: April 22-14, 2022 LOCATION: Frank Vieira Field, West Haven, Conn.   GAME DAY LINKS WATCH LIVE STATS

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THE LEAD
The University of New Haven baseball team is coming off an 8-3 win over the Molloy Lions on Wednesday afternoon to finish non-NE10 play. Capped off by a five-run scoring effort in the seventh inning, the Chargers secured their 18th win of the season. New Haven will now host the American International Yellow Jackets for a four game series starting on Friday. The two will start with one game on Friday before taking on AIC in a doubleheader on Saturday and then finishing with a lone game on Sunday. Friday's matchup is set to begin at 3:00 PM at Frank Vieira Field.

SERIES HISTORY VS AIC
History has favored the Chargers when these two programs collide as New Haven holds the advantage with a 37-17-1 record in the series. In a series that dates back to the mid 80's, the Chargers are 21-4-1 when hosting the Yellow Jackets. The first time the two met was on April 2, 1984 and it was an unsuccessful 3-4 effort for New Haven. The last time the two played was on April 28, 2021 with the Chargers besting the Yellow Jackets, 3-2.

SCOUTING THE CHARGERS: 
After dropping their final two games of a four game series with the Adelphi Panthers, New Haven rebounded with an 8-3 victory over the Molloy Lions on Wednesday. Despite the win, the Charger's streak of at least one homerun in seven straight games has come to an end.

New Haven dropped out of the National College Baseball Writers Association East Region Poll but received votes with nine points. 

Andrew Cain (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford), who is the team's leader with 21 RBIs, adding three more in the win over Molloy.  The senior utility man also leads the Chargers with a .357 batting average (35-98). Although he started the game in left field, Cain took over the mound for the final two innings in Wednesday's win while not allowing a hit or a walk. Robert Taylor (Wolcott, Conn./The Gunnery) tallied another two hits, bringing his total to 42 hits, tied for tenth in the NE10. The center fielder ranks second on the team in batting average (.350) and in RBIs (18). With one of his hits coming by way of a double, Taylor has now racked up 14 extra base hits on the season. Kenneth Franquiz (Bellmore. N.Y./Mepham), who hit three homeruns in the series against Adelphi, recorded two hits, as well. The sophomore middle infielder enters the weekend series riding a five game hitting streak. Tyler Wells (Danville, Vt./St. Johnsbury Academy), who tallied two singles in his last game, also drew a walk as he has now drawn a team-high 26 walks on the season. In addition to his 26 walks, tied for first in the conference, Wells is also tied with Cain for most steals on the team with eight. After going 4-4 in the first game against Adelphi, junior first baseman Andrew Bianco (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) drove in a run on a double down the left side, his 7th double and 17th RBI.

Although he picked up his second loss of the season in his last start, Thomas Eletto (Locust Valley, N.Y./Locust Valley) has been a threat when he's on the mound, tallying a 2.98 ERA, seventh lowest in the NE10, and a 1.32 WHIP.  Bryan Pazulski (Media, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara), who owns a 3.60 ERA and 1.75 WHIP, has struck out 41 batters, second most on the team. All eyes were on southpaw Liam Carroll (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) over the weeknd, however, after the freshman struck out 13 batters across six innings. Carroll has also held opponents to their lowest average (.216) out of all starters.

Drew Silverman (Commack, N.Y./Commack) holds a 2.61 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP while recording 22 strikeouts and seven saves, first in the NE10. The junior closer has held opponents to a team low of a .213 batting average.

SCOUTING THE YELLOW JACKETS:
The Yellow Jackets enter the series on a eight-game losing streak after falling to the Assumption Greyhounds, 5-8, in a one game midweek series. After dropping three games against the Le Moyne Dolphins, the Yellow Jackets were defeated by the Post Eagles, 16-23, on Monday.

American International currently holds a 8-25 record while going 1-14 on the road. The Yellow Jackets are currently ranked seventh in the Southwest Division of the NE10 with a 2-12 record in conference play.

The Yellow Jacket's offense has primarily been led by juniors Chad Lavelle and Alejandro Mosquera. While the latter has hit a team-high five homeruns, the former leads the team with 24 RBIs. Lavelle is coming off a 2-4 game in the loss to Assumption. Graduate Angel Mendez was the team's run produce in their last contest, hitting 3-5 while plating three runs. Mendez is tied for fourth in RBIs on the team with outfielder Brandon Gaul (16). Mendez has been a tough out for opponents as he owns a .479 on-base percentage. Although he was held hitless on Wednesday, Dalton Quinn popped off on Monday, going 3-5 with three runs and two RBIs. Brendan Edvardsen was named NE10 Rookie of the Week in week two after making an immediate impact for the Yellow Jackets in a 2-0 week against Saint Michael's, when he hit .625 with seven RBI, one run, one triple and one double. On the bases, Lavelle has successful swiped 24 bases on the season, most in the NE10. As a team, the Yellow Jackets are 8th in hits, 12th in HRs, and 12th in RBIs.

On the mound, Mason St. Pierre has been the team's workhorse, owning a 7.19 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP across 46.1 innings while striking out 37 batters. Ethan Teixeira has gone 1-5 as a starter with an ERA of 8.07 and a WHIP of 2.16. However, the redshirt junior has punched out 32 batters on the campaign. Although he's only tallied a 1-1 record, Jay Chiappetta has held batters to a .310 average while racking up 19 strikeouts and a 6.55 ERA. James Flahive and Joe Oliver have both recorded a save on the year. The pitching staff has allowed the most hits in the NE10, 390, while striking out an NE10 11th best 215 batters.

UP NEXT
New Haven will host the Saint Rose Golden Knights for a pair of doubleheaders next weekend. The series will be played at Frank Vieira Field on Saturday and Sunday, with both days set to start at noon.