BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — New Haven faced a challenging weekend at Brinkley Stadium, suffering losses in five games, including defeats against Gardner-Webb and North Dakota State. 

In the first game, New Haven fell to Gardner-Webb 9-3. The Chargers (0-5) secured seven hits and scored three runs, but Gardner-Webb (14-7) capitalized on a crucial eight-run third inning to claim the victory. New Haven took an early lead in the first inning with Peyton Sullivan (Savona, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post) walking and scoring on Brianna Trueman's (Trout Run, Pa./Montoursville Area) single. Jess Petit also crossed home plate after Carson Schakel's (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam) single, giving New Haven a 2-0 advantage. However, Gardner-Webb seized control in the third inning, highlighted by Brianne Freschi's triple and a two-RBI double by Tineo, which fueled an eight-run rally. New Haven narrowed the gap in the fourth with Elyse Genaway's (Brookfield, Mass./Tantasqua Regional) double scoring on a fielding error, but Gardner-Webb extended its lead in the fifth with an RBI double by Johnson, concluding the scoring at 9-3.

Skylar Griffin (Berlin, Md./Stephen Decatur) pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and five earned runs, while Breanna Kinney (Minnetonka, Minn./Minnetonka) provided 1 2/3 innings of relief. Offensively, Peyton Sullivan (Savona, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post) contributed a run, a hit, and a walk, while Jess Petit delivered two hits and one run.

The following day, New Haven faced Gardner-Webb again, this time suffering an 11-1 defeat. Gardner-Webb took command early with a three-run homer by M. Knight and extended their lead with a decisive six-run fourth inning. New Haven managed to score in the fifth when Allison Murai (Sammamish, WA/Skyline High School) crossed the plate after reaching base on a walk. Cecelia Imbimbo (Burlington, Mass./Burlington) started on the mound for the Chargers, allowing five earned runs in three innings. Jess Petit led the offense with two hits in three at-bats.

In another matchup against North Dakota State, New Haven fell 8-0. The Chargers were limited to two hits and committed four errors. North Dakota State took an early advantage, scoring three runs in the first inning and extending their lead throughout the game. Cecelia Imbimbo (Burlington, Mass./Burlington) pitched 4 2/3 innings, striking out four, but the Chargers couldn't mount a comeback.

On the same day, New Haven faced North Dakota State once more, losing 11-1. The North Dakota team showcased a strong performance with a nine-run second inning, featuring a two-RBI double by M. Zimmerman. New Haven's lone run came in the fifth inning when Gianna Haniff (Merrick, N.Y./Sanford H. Calhoun) doubled, and Elyse Genaway's (Brookfield, Mass./Tantasqua Regional) single brought her home. Skylar Griffin (Berlin, Md./Stephen Decatur) pitched 1 1/3 innings, while Katie Rhodes (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) delivered a commendable performance over three innings, allowing just one hit.

Finally, New Haven dropped a close game to Lafayette 3-1, where they tallied six hits but couldn't overcome Lafayette's two-run third inning and a solo home run. Bri Pellicone (Sandy Hook, Conn./Newtown) led the Chargers with two hits and scored a run, while Carson Schakel (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam) added an RBI.

Its next game is against Yale University on Saturday, March 7, at 10:30 a.m. in New Haven, Connecticut.