West Haven, C.T- The Chargers stayed in it until the end, but the Spartans of Saint Thomas Aquinas pulled away late in the 9-8 victory on Wednesday afternoon. The game was tied at the top of the eighth before STAC would put one on the board, leaving the Chargers to battle back for a walk off win that fell short.
Freshman Michael Gatti (East Norwich, N.Y./Oyster Bay) started on the mound for the Chargers, going five innings, allowing four runs on five hits and striking out seven. After striking out the order in the first inning, Gatti would force three fly outs to keep the game tied at nothing.
Only allowing one walk in the third inning, Gatti put the Chargers in a great position to take the first lead of the game. The Chargers leadoff batter Kenneth Franquiz (Bellmore. N.Y./Mepham) would start off with a walk, shortly being moved to second on a single from Noah Budzik (Cromwell, Conn./Cromwell). With two runners on, Andrew Bianco (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) would double on a ball to left field, pushing Franquiz in to score for the first run of the game. Tyler Wells (Danville, Vt./St. Johnsbury Academy) would find himself his first hit of the day on a single to right field, putting the Chargers up by three runs. Continuing the momentum, a single from Robert Taylor (Wolcott, Conn./The Gunnery) and a double from Josh Lester (Amityville, N.Y./Copiague) would put the Chargers up 5-0 going into the fourth.
STAC would find themselves on the board in the fourth, scoring one on a single, and one more on an error. It would not be until the top of the fifth inning, that STAC would minimize the blue and gold's lead to 5-4.
The game would remain within one run until the top of the eighth where STAC would find themselves leading 7-6, putting the Chargers trailing for the first time all game. The Spartans lead would not last long. Andrew Cain (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) would end up tying the game with a single up the middle, putting the score tied at 7's. Shortly after, Robert Taylor (Wolcott, Conn./The Gunnery) would put New Haven ahead by, on another ground ball up the middle.
Going into the ninth the game became do or die, unfortunately favoring the Spartans. On two singles STAC would find themselves once again leading by one for the second time all game. The Chargers needed a comeback effort, but it would come back short as the first three batters faced would find themselves out, and the Spartans taking home the win.
Drew Silverman (Commack, N.Y./Commack) would take the loss for the Chargers, allowing five hits and four runs over two innings striking out one. Kyle Allen (Middle Island, N.Y./Longwood) would also come in from the bullpen for relief.
Despite the loss the blue and gold were able to tally up 14 hits. Robert Taylor (Wolcott, Conn./The Gunnery) leading the way at the plate for the Chargers going four-for-five at the plate, including one RBI. Andrew Cain (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) hit well on the day, going three-for-five grabbing an RBI as well. Noah Budzik (Cromwell, Conn./Cromwell) and Shaun Callahan (Newington, Conn./Newington) were amongst the other Chargers managing to get multiple hits on the afternoon.
UP NEXT:
The Chargers will continue their series against the Spartans, first at home on Friday the 21st, for a doubleheader. The first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. and all the action will be available on the Chargers Sports Network on NE10 NOW.
