It is not often that teams are able to hit the ground running and play to their full capacity in their first games of the season. Players are still getting accustomed to seeing the game at full speed, but when they are able to surpass the growing pains of a long season and come out firing, it is usually a sign of good things to come.

Winning streaks are not easy to come by, especially in the early stages of the season. When a team is at their best, everything comes together to win games, whether that be big hits in key situations or pitchers closing the door on a big scoring opportunity.

The New Haven baseball team did just that this weekend in Myrtle Beach, S.C., coming away with a huge four-game sweep over the University of Bridgeport. After losing the first two games of the season in extra-inning affairs, the Chargers have bounced back to win their next six as they currently stand at 6-2 on the season.

Taking the mound for New Haven in the first game of the series on Friday, Mar. 3 was right-handed pitcher Izaiya Mestre. Mestre dominated the Purple Knights’ lineup, finishing his day after 5.2 innings, allowing just two hits in a shutout performance with four strikeouts.

New Haven broke the scoreless affair in the fourth inning, plating five capped off by a three-run home run by first baseman Andrew Bianco. The Chargers continued to add on in the fifth, as catcher Josh Lester delivered the biggest of his three hits on the game with a double to bring in another run. Second baseman Noah Budzik brought Lester around to score with a single to open up a 7-0 lead.

Senior Bryan Pazulski came in relief of Kyle Allen, who recorded the final out of the sixth inning in relief of Mestre. Pazulski would finish the game with three strong innings, striking out five and allowing just one hit on the way to a three-hit shutout for New Haven in an 8-0 win, their first shutout of the season.

New Haven continued to swing hot bats on Saturday, coming away with a 10-4 win in the first game of a doubleheader. The Chargers broke the game open with three home runs and kept Bridgeport playing from behind with the help of two scoreless innings out of the bullpen to close it out.

Bridgeport struck first with a double by designated hitter Anthony Pascale to take a 1-0 lead in the first. New Haven answered right back with three runs in the top of the second, taking advantage of a fielding miscue to plate two unearned runs.

After Bridgeport catcher Tyler Sharfetz homered in the third, the Chargers plated two more on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Robert Taylor and left fielder Owen Pincince’s first career home run.

New Haven broke the game open in the top of the sixth, as outfielders Tyler Wells and Robert Taylor hit back-to-back home runs to take a commanding six-run lead. In a blowout performance, New Haven called on right-handed pitcher Kevin McNiff to close it out, firing a quick inning to seal the win for the Chargers going into the second game of the doubleheader.

New Haven once again dominated Bridgeport in the second game, coming away with a big 6-1 win as the lineup continued their hot start to the season.

The Chargers sent right-hander Thomas Eletto to the mound to finish off the sweep of the doubleheader. Eletto finished his outing with four strong innings, striking out three and allowing just two hits.

Left fielder Owen Pincince continued his great weekend at the plate with a single to score Taylor and give New Haven a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Budzik quickly made it a three-run game in the second with a double, bringing Pincince and Lester around to score.

In the sixth, Lester broke the game open with a two-run home run, his first of the season. He has been red hot to start the season at the plate, batting .435 in six games played with 10 hits, three doubles and six runs batted in.

In relief of Eletto was freshman Michael Gatti, who fired two shutout innings and allowed just one hit. Following him out of the bullpen to close the game was closing pitcher Drew Silverman, who tallied three strikeouts to finish off the sweep of the doubleheader for New Haven.
In the final game of the four-game series, New Haven’s bats continued their dominant start, averaging over eight runs per game in eight games played this season. Erasing an early deficit, the Chargers were able to finish off the sweep with a big 9-4 win.

Starting on the mound for New Haven was freshman Randy Ramnarace, who allowed four runs over four innings, tallying three strikeouts. The bullpen was dominant in the win, as left-handed pitcher Tyler Sausville got the win with 4.2 shutout innings allowing no hits and striking out three, as Silverman would record the last out to seal the win.

Wells knocked in the first run for the Chargers with a single, followed by a two-run double by Cole Maucere in the third and tying the game at four in the fourth inning after Taylor grounded into a double play.

New Haven broke the game open in the seventh inning with singles from Lester and Pincince, followed by a bases-loaded walk from Budzik to plate another run. Bianco delivered the biggest blow with a double, scoring two more and giving the Chargers a five-run lead, which would hold for the rest of the game.

New Haven will be back in action on Friday, Mar. 10 as they travel to Boca Raton, Fla. for five games in six days before coming home for their home opener against Bridgeport on Friday, Mar. 17. The Chargers will look to continue their strong start to the season before kicking off conference matchups. More information can be found at newhavenchargers.com.