SPRINGFIELD, MA – The University of New Haven Chargers traveled to Springfield, MA on Friday to begin the biggest series of their season against the AIC Yellow Jackets. With enormous playoff implications on the line, New Haven dropped the series opener 9-8 in walkoff fashion.
AIC got on the board quickly in the bottom of the first, scoring three runs. All three came via the home run for the Yellow Jackets, as Yeudy Ramirez led off the inning with a solo shot and Kiernan Caffrey's homer brought in himself and Nick Serce, giving the Jackets a 3-0 lead.
New Haven got them all back, and then some, in the third inning. Rob Taylor grounded into a double play, which allowed
Cole Maucere (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon) to score and get the Chargers on the board.
Casey Cerruto (Torrington, Conn./St. Paul Catholic) doubled home
Cam McGugan (Mystic, Conn./Fitch), making it a one-run game.
Matt McIntire (Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown) reached on an error that allowed Cerruto to score and tie the game. McIntire would later score an unearned run on another Yellow Jackets error on a ball put into play by
Tyler Wells (Danville, Vt./St. Johnsbury Academy), giving UNH a 4-3 lead.
Leandro Guevara doubled home a run in the bottom of the inning, tying the game at four.
In the bottom of the fourth, AIC went ahead on Ramirez's two-run double, making it a 6-4 lead for the Yellow Jackets.
In the bottom of the seventh, Guevara would once again double down the left field line, bringing home an insurance run for AIC and making it a three-run game at 7-4.
New Haven found some magic in the top of the ninth as Cerruto's solo homer made it a 7-5 game and started a late rally. McIntire scored on a wild pitch, making it 7-6. The big blow came from Maucere, who doubled in a pair to give the Chargers an 8-7 lead.
AIC walked the game off in the bottom of the ninth on a two-run homer from Josh Frometa.
New Haven will head back to the suburbs of Boston tomorrow, Saturday May 3, to wrap up the three-game set with a doubleheader. Tomorrow's doubleheader also concludes the regular season as conference playoffs begin next week.
