WEST HAVEN, CONN. - The University of New Haven baseball team dropped both games of their doubleheader with the American International Yellow Jackets on Saturday. After falling 7-13 in game one, the Chargers couldn't hang on for a win in game two as AIC completed a comeback in a 4-5 loss for New Haven.

Game 1 - AIC 13, New Haven 7 (7 Innings)
Following an impressive 12-3 victory on Friday, the Chargers turned to freshman Liam Carroll (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) to kickoff the two-game slate. Although the southpaw struck out a season-high 13 batters in his last outing, the Yellow Jackets were able to get on the board early, taking a three run lead after the first inning. After allowing a two-out triple to center field, Carroll regained form with a swinging strikeout to end the side.

Tyler Wells (Danville, Vt./St. Johnsbury Academy), who went 5-5 at the plate yesterday, drew a walk to lead off the Charger's side of the first. After Noah Budzik (Cromwell, Conn./Cromwell) singled to left field, Wells would advance to third on a fielder's choice that would nab Budzik at second. With runners on the corners, Andrew Cain (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) put the ball in play to plate Wells, cutting the deficit to two.

Carroll began the top of the second by striking out the first two batters before yielding a double down the left field line. Even though the runner would take third base on a balk, the freshman finished what he started, striking out the next batter.

Leading off the top of the second, Aaron Soucy (Brooklyn, Conn./The Pomfret School) poked a single through the right side to get aboard. With one away, Brett Reedy (Enfield, Conn./Enfield) laid down a successful sacrifice bunt to advance Soucy to second but a pop up would strand the runner on base.

After a 1-2-3 inning from the Yellow Jackets, the Chargers tacked on another run. Once again Wells lead off the inning, this time reaching base on a single to right field. Robert Taylor (Wolcott, Conn./The Gunnery) drove in Wells on a double down the right field line to bring the game within one.

American International broke open the game in the fourth inning after a leadoff double was proceeded by three consecutive singles. A sac fly would plate a second run in the inning but one more would be added on following a bases load walk.

Gary Costello (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire) took control of the mound, in relief for Carroll, and made quick work of the first two batters. However, the Yellow Jackets tacked on four more runs in the inning, including a three-run homerun to left field. With two gone and two on base, Costello recorded the punchout to limit the damage.

For the third time in the game, Wells led off the side for New Haven and, once again, drew a walk to get on base. Wells has now reached base 31 times via walks, first in the NE10, as his on-base percentage rose to .423.

Although the Chargers couldn't plate the run, Costello responded with a quick inning. With two outs, one coming by way of strikes, Costello allowed a single but Soucy would catch the runner stealing second to retire the side.

After a quiet side for the New Haven offense, the Yellow Jackets struck again. The inning began with a hit batter by Christian De Risi (Hempstead, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) before AIC loaded the bases with one out. A double down the left field line plated two runs but a third would score on a wild pitch. However, a quick play at the plate would nab another runner trying to score.

Down to their final three outs, the Chargers looked to chip away at the large lead. Reedy began the comeback effort with a double down the left field line. After reaching third on a passed ball, Wells drove in the run with a single to left field. Taylor brought home Wells and Budzik, who reached on a single, with a double to center field. Taylor continues to mount up extra base hits on the season as the double was his 13 of the year, tied for fourth in the NE10. The inning was extended after Cain reached on a throwing error which would result in Taylor scoring. New Haven scored their fifth run of the inning on an Andrew Bianco (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) double to right center. 

The effort was too little and too late as the Yellow Jackets took game one. Liam Carroll (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa), who was credited with the loss, allowed nine hits and one walk through four innings while striking out five.
 

Game 2 - AIC 5, New Haven 4 (7 Innings)
Looking to rebound from the game one loss, New Haven called on Timothy Woodford (Smithtown, N.Y./Happaugue) to start the seven-inning second game.

The Yellow Jackets struck first after the first two batters reached on singles. Although Woodford struck out the batter, a run would score on a passed ball. With one away, the graduate recorded the second out of the inning by successfully picking off the man on second before striking out the final batter to escape the side.

The Chargers had an answer, however, after Taylor and Cain strung together a pair of two-out singles. Following a walk of Bianco to load the bases, Josh Lester (Amityville, N.Y./Copiague) roped a double to left field to plate two runs.

With momentum on his side, Woodford retired the side in order, including a strikeout of the leadoff man.

Kenneth Franquiz (Bellmore. N.Y./Mepham) laced a single with one out in the second inning before advancing on a passed ball to get in scoring position. Taylor delivered the hit to drive in the run, a single to third base to give the Chargers a 3-1 lead.

Although he allowed a two-out walk, which would reach second on a steal, Woodford struck out the batter to leave the runner stranded. 

New Haven threatened once again in the bottom of the fourth after Wells and Taylor singled to right field. Despite the Chargers loading the bases following a walk from Cain, the Chargers came up empty handed.

With one out in the fifth, Lester caught a runner stealing second after he reached on a single. A double to left center would get the Yellow Jackets into scoring position regardless but Woodford struck out the final batter to keep the lead in tact.

New Haven added to their lead after Hunter Boag (Colts Neck, N.J./Colts Neck), who reached on an error, scored on a Franquiz single to right field.

Heading into the top of the seventh, the Chargers looked to secure the victory but were caught on the receiving end of a rally. The Yellow Jackets pieced together a four run inning to take a 5-4 lead.

Dylan Chiaro (Southington, Conn./Southington) looked to give the Chargers a chance by drawing a leadoff walk but after a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk of Wells, the senior was left in scoring position.

The loss drops the Chargers to 19-16 on the season and 4-11 in conference play.

Woodford, who was a no decision, allowed five hits and one walk through five innings while striking out five.

NEXT UP
The University of New Haven baseball team will conclude their series with the American International Yellow Jackets on Sunday with a nine inning game. Start time is scheduled for noon at Frank Vieria Field.