HANOVER, Md. — New Haven Baseball (10-29, 9-15 NEC) faced Coppin State University (9-32, 9-18 NEC) in a thrilling series at Joe Cannon Stadium over the weekend, featuring a mix of close games and standout performances.
On Friday, New Haven edged Coppin State with a 7-6 victory, capitalizing on a five-run fourth inning and crucial insurance runs in the eighth and ninth. Coppin State initially jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a sacrifice fly by Angel Garcia and a triple by Pedro Agosto. However, the Blue & Gold's offense surged in the fourth, highlighted by
Joseph Frazzetta's (Howard Beach, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) two-run double and Matthew McIntire's two-run homer, putting New Haven ahead 5-2. After Coppin State tied the game at 5-5 in the seventh with a two-RBI double from Garcia, New Haven regained the lead in the eighth when
Jaylin Manson (Newington, Conn./Newington) scored on a sacrifice fly by
Cam McGugan (Mystic, Conn./Fitch). In the ninth, Frazzetta's double extended the lead, and despite a late solo home run from Terrell Milliner, New Haven held on for the win.
Max Hilsenroth (Centerport, N.Y./Harborfields) pitched 6 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 8 hits, while striking out 5. Jace Vanvalkenburg faced challenges, allowing 2 earned runs without recording an out.
Vincent Fusco (Fishkill, N.Y./John Jay East Fishkill) closed with 3 innings of relief, giving up 1 earned run and striking out 3. Frazzetta led the offense with three hits and three RBIs, while McIntire contributed a homer and two RBIs. Cerruto scored twice, and Manson added two runs with two steals.
On Saturday, New Haven fell to Coppin State with a final score of 6-3. Coppin State built an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning and extending it to 4-0 by the third. New Haven fought back in the fourth, scoring two runs on RBIs from Frazzetta and McIntire. However, Coppin State answered back, increasing their lead to 5-2 before New Haven added another run in the seventh. Despite a strong performance from reliever
Myles McDermott (Braintree, Mass./Arch Bishop Williams), who struck out seven over 6 2/3 innings, the Chargers couldn't close the gap, resulting in a 6-3 defeat.
James Reilly (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) struggled on the mound, allowing three earned runs and issuing six walks in just 1 1/3 innings. Frazzetta and McIntire each secured a hit and an RBI, while McGugan added a run on a sacrifice fly.
In the series finale on Sunday, New Haven emerged victorious with a narrow 9-8 win, fueled by a pivotal four-run eighth inning. Coppin State took an early lead with a solo home run from Jordan Treadwell and extended it to 5-1 after three innings. However, the Chargers responded with a comeback, narrowing the deficit to 5-4 by the sixth inning. After tying the game at 5-5 in the seventh, New Haven surged ahead in the eighth.
Bobby Herzman (Cheshire, Conn./HC Wilcox) scored on a bases-loaded walk, and
Aedan Forde (Massapequa Park, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) came home on a sacrifice fly, with Christian and Ungania also scoring due to a throwing error, pushing the lead to 9-5. Coppin State attempted a comeback, scoring two runs in the ninth, but New Haven held on for the victory.
Cole Gibson (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Ludlow) started for New Haven, allowing 5 earned runs in 3 innings, but
Mason Glickman (Windsor, Conn./Windsor) provided strong relief, yielding just 1 earned run in 5 2/3 innings and striking out 6. McIntire showcased his power with a home run and two runs scored, while Russo contributed two hits, including a triple, along with two RBIs from Cerruto.
Up next, the Chargers will begin a three-game series with the Delaware State University Hornets. The series begins Friday, May 8, with first pitch slated for 3:00 p.m.
