As the weather starts to heat up, balls begin to fly all over the yard and teams start to see more success at the plate. When a team is consistently putting up runs, it only enhances their ability to generate scoring chances and capitalize on them in big moments.

Both teams saw big success at the plate on Saturday afternoon, but New Haven came out on top once again for their fifth consecutive win, beating Felician University 9-5 behind another big offensive performance headlined by two long home runs from third baseman Matt McIntire.

New Haven’s offense continued their incredible season, coming up with timely hits and taking key bases to set up big run-scoring chances that put them ahead early and never looked back. The Chargers saw big contributions from all spots of the lineup as six players tallied a hit and stole eight bases as a team along the way for a non-conference win that moved them to 20-5 on the season.

Starting on the mound for the Chargers was graduate right-hander Izaiya Mestre, who picked up his third win of the season, going five innings, allowing three runs on three hits and striking out four.

Felician drew first blood against Mestre in the top of the second inning as right fielder Chris Fernan lined a single into center field that plated the first two runs of the game. Mestre quickly responded from the single, retiring the next two batters in order to keep it a two-run game.

New Haven continued to do what they have all season as second baseman coming through in key moments as Noah Budzik cut the deficit in half with a two-out single to center that brought shortstop Kenneth Franquiz around to score.

After retiring the side in order in the top of the third inning, New Haven took the lead in a big way with McIntire going to the opposite field for his first collegiate home run, a three-run shot that made it a 4-2 game.

After a walk from right fielder Shaun Callahan, Felician turned to their bullpen and gave the ball to right-hander Derek Vonhor to keep it a two-run game. New Haven took advantage of an error to set up another chance with runners in scoring position as first baseman Andrew Bianco watched his long three-run home run leave the yard to cap off a huge six-run inning that put the Chargers ahead by five.

Felician answered right back in the top of the fourth with a solo home run off the bat of first baseman Jack Scrivan that cut the lead to four. Following the home run, Mestre was able to keep the damage to a minimum, striking out Fernan looking to end the inning.

McIntire continued his hot start at the plate as he lifted a ball to deep center field that cleared the fence for his second home run of the game to put New Haven back ahead by five. Center fielder Robert Taylor knocked in another run in the sixth on a lined single to left field that scored Bianco for the ninth run of the game.

Felician brought a pair of runners home in the seventh on a double from center fielder Julian Uejim to make it a 9-5 game, but could not scratch any more runs across, ending their four-game winning streak.

New Haven now finds themselves in the midst of another long winning streak, heading on the road to Springfield, Mass. to take on American International College for their last non-conference matchup before a weekend series at Frank Vieira Field, taking on crosstown rival Southern Connecticut State University. First pitch against AIC is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday as the Chargers look to continue their success at the plate and stay in the win column. More information can be found at newhavenchargers.com.