UNIONDALE, N.Y. – Kyle Cullen (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) capped a big opening weekend with two hits and two RBI as the University of New Haven baseball team downed host Molloy, 3-1, in Sunday’s finale of a three-game series in Uniondale, N.Y. Frank Vilacha (Dartmouth, Mass./Dartmouth) tossed five innings of shutout ball to earn the win on the mound.
Cullen’s two-run single in the second inning drove in what proved to be the game’s deciding runs for New Haven (2-1). The Chargers’ third run was manufactured in the top of the fifth inning. Andrew Johnson (Branford, Conn./Branford) worked a walk, stole second and third and came home the final 90 feet on an RBI single off the bat of Brendon Buckley (Monroe, Conn./Masuk).
Buckley had a two-hit day alongside Cullen, designated hitter Chris DeMorais (West Hartford, Conn./Conard) and centerfielder #Brendan O’Reilly#. Johnson added a single to go along with three stolen bases on the day.
Vilacha ceded just two hits over five shutout innings to earn the win. The right-hander struck out two batters, hit a batter and did not issue a walk. Righty Taylor Candage (Portland, Maine/Deering) finished off the game with four innings of relief, allowing one earned run on one hit to earn the save. Candage struck out three batters and handed out one free pass.
Anthony Eichhorn was charged with all three earned runs for Molloy (2-9), striking out 10 Chargers with four walks in six innings of action.
Today’s game was the rubber match of the three-game set. Yesterday, the Lions won game one, 6-4, and the Chargers prevailed, 2-0, in the nightcap.
New Haven returns to the diamond on Friday, March 8 with a 3 p.m. visit to Dowling. Opening Day at Frank Vieira Field is slated for Tuesday, March 12 when Dominican comes to West Haven for a 3 p.m. contest.
