WEST HAVEN, CT – The University of New Haven Chargers split their doubleheader on Saturday with the Adelphi Panthers and took two of three over the weekend to win the series.
GAME ONE:
Game one was preceded by the program's recognition of its seniors and their contributions on and off the field.
The Panthers won game 11-3 largely due to the performance on the mound from Dawson Montesa. Montesa got the first 25 outs for the Panthers, allowing only two runs to score (both earned) after he exited. Over his eight plus innings, he fanned 11 Chargers and only walked one.
The Panthers put up a six spot in the top of the third inning featuring an RBI double from Joe Pellegrino, which was followed by a two-run single from Matt Ryan. The big blow came on a three-run homer off the bat of the catcher, Bryan McCleary.
Adelphi also got an unearned run in the top of the fourth following an error from the Chargers, making it 7-0.
A three-run double from Jack Wishner in the eighth made it a double-digit lead for the Panthers that expanded to 11-0 when he scored later in the inning.
UNH got three in the bottom of the ninth, but the rally served more as momentum for game two than anything else. It began with a
Jake Russo (Yaphank, N.Y./Bellport) single to left field that reached the warning track after it got under the glove of the Panthers left fielder.
Cam McGugan (Mystic, Conn./Fitch) came all the way around from first to score on the play and Russo stopped at second.
EJ Ettinger (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) doubled home Kenny Franquiz and Russo, resulting in the 11-3 score.
Vinny Fusco took the loss on the hill for the Chargers, lasting five innings and surrendering seven hits, six runs (five earned), walking two, hitting two, and striking out three.
Christian De Risi (Hempstead, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial),
Carson Morgan (Vernon, Conn./Rockville),
Cole Gibson (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Ludlow), and
Jake Zenger (Lawrence, Kan./Lawrence Free State) each threw an inning of relief to finish out the game.
GAME TWO:
The Panthers drew first blood again, making it 1-0 in the top of the third, but the Chargers answered with five in the bottom half of the inning thanks to back-to-back bases-loaded walks from Rob Taylor and
Casey Cerruto (Torrington, Conn./St. Paul Catholic). Up 2-1, New Haven piled on after
Matt McIntire (Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown) reached on a fielder's choice, plating McGugan. Joe Frazetta doubled home two more, making it a 5-1 game in the third.
Adelphi wouldn't go quietly however, as Erick Duignan clubbed a three-run homer, making it a one-run game.
UNH answered with a home run of its own via Taylor in the bottom of the fifth, making it 6-4.
Again, the Panthers answered. In the top of the sixth, they found a way to scrape another run across by way of a Pellegrino RBI single, making it a 6-5 game with the Chargers still ahead.
UNH put the game out of reach in the seventh after Frazetta brought in another run, totaling three RBIs in the game. Cerruto would also come in to score on a wild pitch in the inning, resulting in the 8-5 final.
Liam Carroll (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) toed the rubber for the Blue and Gold, coming away with his fifth win of the season. He lasted six and two-thirds, allowing 10 hits, five runs (all earned), three walks, and three strikeouts.
Randy Ramnarace (Brentwood, N.Y./Brentwood) finished the game for the Chargers, getting the final seven outs and earning the save. He only allowed two hits and walked one, striking out four.
UP NEXT:
New Haven continues its playoff push with a matchup at Mercy University on Tuesday, Apr. 22 at 3:00 P.M.
