The Chargers faced off against the Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) Owls and lost, 6-4.
SCSU struck first in the top of the first inning, plating one run on two hits. The Owls’ Spencer Chard led off with a single and later came around to score on Patrick Dillon’s RBI single to center. Jake Gruttadauria also reached with a walk, but the Owls left two runners stranded. In the bottom half, New Haven put two runners on after Nick Ungania and Casey Cerruto walked but failed to score, as Matt McIntire’s flyout to center ended the threat.
Southern threatened again in the top of the second but came up empty. Chad Fedeli drew a leadoff walk and moved to third following a sacrifice bunt by Zakary Droukas and an error at shortstop. However, the Owls couldn’t capitalize, as Chard grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning. New Haven went down in order in the bottom half, with Joseph Frazzetta striking out and Cole Maucere and Kenneth Franquiz each retiring on routine plays.
Southern continued to apply pressure in the third, as Brennan Staubley led off with an infield single. After a flyout, Jack Drewry walked to put two on with one out, but the Owls couldn’t bring any runners home. Dillon struck out and Izaiah Walker hit a pop up to center, stranding two more runners. New Haven’s Aeden Forde struck out looking to start the frame. Ungania grounded out before Cam McGugan worked a walk and advanced to second on a balk. However, Robert Taylor’s flyout ended the inning with the Chargers still scoreless.
Fedeli sparked Southern in the fourth with a single and eventually reached third on a failed pickoff and an error. Jagello delivered an RBI single which brought Fedeli home. The Owls loaded the bases with two outs, but a Drewry flyout left them stranded with just one run added. New Haven responded with a rally of their own. Cerruto singled, and McIntire reached on a fielder’s choice. Frazzetta and Franquiz each singled, with Franquiz driving in McIntire to put the Chargers on the board. The inning ended with the bases loaded and New Haven trailing 2–1.
Relief pitcher Matthew Minio held Southern in check in the fifth. Dillon and Walker were retired on flyouts before Fedeli reached base for the third time with a single. Droukas hit a pop out to right to end the inning. The Chargers went down in order in the bottom half as McGugan, Taylor and Cerruto each hit a pop out, preserving Southern’s 2–1 lead.
The Owls broke things open in the sixth. Derrick Jagello walked and advanced to third after a wild pitch and stolen base. Staubley walked and Gruttadauria drove in Jagello with a double. Dillon followed with a two-run single to make it 5–1 before the inning ended on a fielder’s choice. New Haven couldn’t muster a response, going down in order on a groundout and two strikeouts, as Southern maintained momentum and a four-run lead.
Southern added another insurance run in the seventh. Fedeli walked and advanced to third on a sacrifice and a single by Jagello. Chard doubled to left to bring home Fedeli, but Jagello was thrown out after an attempt to steal third. Staubley grounded out to end the frame with the Owls ahead 6–1. New Haven got a leadoff single from Franquiz and a walk from Forde. Ungania followed with a single, but Franquiz was thrown out at home on a strong throw from right. A walk loaded the bases, but the Chargers failed to score as Taylor grounded out on a heads-up unassisted play at third.
Gruttadauria walked to begin the eighth, and Drewry followed with a single. Shortly after, Dillon popped up on the infield and Walker fouled out. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, but Fedeli lined out to right to end the threat. Cerruto, McIntire, and Frazzetta were each retired in order, as the Chargers were unable to gain any ground, still trailing 6–1.
Chard collected his third hit of the day and stole second after reaching with two outs in the ninth, but the Owls couldn’t capitalize, as Staubley was out after a hit to center to keep it a five-run game. New Haven mounted a late rally, with a Franquiz single and a Forde walk. A wild pitch moved both into scoring position before Ungania walked to load the bases. McGugan singled home one, and Taylor followed with a two-run single to cut the deficit to 6–4. With two on and two out, McIntire walked to load the bases again, but Frazzetta grounded out to end the comeback bid, sealing the win for Southern Connecticut State.
After the loss to SCSU, New Haven has an overall record of 16-11 and 4-6 in conference play. The Chargers are scheduled to face off against the Saint Anselm College Hawks. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Sullivan Field. For more information about the Chargers season, check out NewHavenChargers.com.
