WEST HAVEN, Conn. — New Haven Baseball (13-33, 12-18) faced the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (9-39, 8-25) in a series of exciting matchups, highlighted by a narrow victory on Friday and a thrilling win on Saturday.
On Friday, New Haven secured a narrow victory, winning 5-4. The Chargers jumped out to an early lead in the first inning when
Nick Ungania (Mineola, N.Y./Chaminade) walked and later scored on a single to left field by
Bobby Herzman (Cheshire, Conn./HC Wilcox), putting the Blue & Gold ahead 1-0. In the third inning,
Jake Russo (Yaphank, N.Y./Bellport) walked and stole second base, paving the way for Herzman to double to right center, driving in Russo.
Casey Cerruto (Torrington, Conn./St. Paul Catholic) followed with a single down the left field line, bringing in Herzman and extending the lead to 3-0.
However, UMES responded fiercely in the sixth inning. Julian Jimenez reached on a fielding error, and Henry Clausell's double brought in the first run. A bases-loaded double by Diego Aponte cleared the bases, tying the game at 4-4. New Haven answered back when
Cam McGugan (Mystic, Conn./Fitch) walked and Russo was hit by a pitch, setting up Matthew McIntire's two-RBI double to reclaim the lead at 5-4. Neither team scored in the final innings, securing the win for New Haven.
James Reilly (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching 5 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run, striking out four batters and allowing three hits.
Vincent Fusco (Fishkill, N.Y./John Jay East Fishkill) came in as a reliever, pitched 3 1/3 innings, and struck out five batters, ultimately earning the win to improve his record to 2-3. Ungania contributed with two hits, one run, and a stolen base, while McIntire recorded two RBIs.
The following day, Saturday, New Haven triumphed again, this time with a score of 11-9. UMES took an early lead in the first inning, scoring four runs, with Jonathan Gonzalez's two-RBI single highlighting the inning. New Haven struggled in the first, leaving the score at 4-0. The deficit grew to 5-0 after Julian Jimenez's solo home run in the second inning.
But New Haven's offense surged in the fourth inning. With back-to-back singles from
Casey Cerruto (Torrington, Conn./St. Paul Catholic) and
Aedan Forde (Massapequa Park, N.Y./St. John the Baptist), Matthew McIntire delivered a three-RBI double to tie the game at 5-5.
Jake Russo (Yaphank, N.Y./Bellport) and
Bobby Herzman (Cheshire, Conn./HC Wilcox) each added RBI singles, giving New Haven a 6-5 lead through four innings.
New Haven continued to build its lead in the sixth, with
Nick Ungania (Mineola, N.Y./Chaminade) and Russo advancing on base, and Herzman driving in a run. The Chargers scored additional runs through a walk and a fielder's choice, extending the lead to 10-5. UMES narrowed the gap, scoring twice in the seventh to make it 10-7. New Haven added an unearned run in the eighth, making it 11-7, but UMES responded with two runs, closing to 11-9. The ninth inning saw UMES threaten, but New Haven held firm to secure the victory.
Cole Gibson (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Ludlow) started for New Haven, pitching one inning and allowing four earned runs.
Myles McDermott (Braintree, Mass./Arch Bishop Williams) provided solid relief, throwing six innings and giving up three earned runs, earning a win to even his record at 3-3. McIntire had a standout performance, recording three RBIs and hitting two doubles, while Herzman also contributed with three RBIs and two stolen bases.
