Coming off of a tough loss on Wednesday to the Quinnipiac University Bobcats, the Chargers went into the weekend looking to get back in the win column against cross-state rival Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) Blue Devils. After a three-game series, New Haven came out on top, winning two of the three.
In game one, the Chargers struck first with a sacrifice fly from third baseman Joe Frazzetta. CCSU answered back in the second with two unearned runs. The Chargers tied it up in the fourth with an RBI from center fielder Nick Ungania and then took the lead back in the fifth with another RBI from Frazzetta. New Haven continued with the offensive action, while the CCSU Blue Devils were held to two runs. The sixth inning saw RBIs from right fielder Shaun Callahan and designated hitter Casey Cerruto. The sixth and final run for the Chargers was brought home off an RBI single from shortstop Aedan Forde in the seventh, ending the game at 6-2. New Haven starting pitcher Max Hilsenroth took the win, going all nine innings and allowing zero earned runs on seven hits and two walks. Hilsenroth also totaled 10 strikeouts on the day.
Game two of the series started slow on the offensive side, with both teams going scoreless in the first two innings. The Chargers had a huge third inning and put up five runs, started by a walk from Callahan with bases loaded, followed by a right field RBI single from Cerruto. Frazzetta then hit into a fielder’s choice that brought home designated hitter Jake Russo, and then third baseman Bobby Herzman singled through the right side to bring in Callahan. The final run of the inning was unearned, with the RBI accredited to Forde. New Haven went scoreless over the next three innings, while CCSU chipped away at the deficit. The Chargers were up by one going into the seventh, until Herzman singled to center field to bring in Cerruto. In the eighth inning, Russo hit an RBI double to bring in first baseman Cam McGugan. The Blue Devils attempted a comeback in the eighth but fell short by one run. The game ended with a score of 7-6.
Game three saw lots of offensive action on both sides. The Chargers started the scoring in the first inning with an RBI single from Cerruto. CCSU added two runs in the second to take the lead, but the score was quickly tied after an RBI triple from Callahan in the top of the third. The Blue Devils took the lead back with a two RBI single through the right side. Down by two, New Haven fought back and tied the score again in the fourth inning, with RBIs from second baseman EJ Ettinger and Ungania. CCSU added a combined three runs through the fourth and fifth innings, and then a solo home run from left fielder Matt McIntire left the Chargers down by two going into the sixth. The Blue Devils extended their lead with two more runs in the sixth, which was answered back by another Cerruto RBI. CCSU added one more run in the seventh, unearned, leaving the final score at 10-6.
After the series, New Haven is now 8-27 overall and 7-14 in conference play. The next game will take place on April 28 when the Chargers host the University of Rhode Island. For more information, visit NewHavenChargers.com.
