(02-24-08)
Box Score
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- Junior Cesar Garrido (photo) hit a three-run home run and senior Michael Moras had three hits and three RBI's, as the University of New Haven baseball team attempted to rally from nine down in the late innings against Mesa State College on Sunday afternoon.
But Mesa State (9-6) completed a four-game sweep of the Chargers (0-4) with a 15-12 win, as five Mavericks collected two or more RBI's.
UNH fell behind early as Andrew Martinez opened up the bottom of the first with a double to left center. After an error and a sacrifice bunt, Kyle Hogue doubled down the left field line to give the Mavericks a 2-0 lead. Mesa State went on to add five more runs in the inning to build a 7-0 margin.
In the top of the second, the Chargers stormed back with five runs of their own to cut the lead to two heading into the bottom of the frame. UNH scored off three hits and a pair of errors as sophomore Kyle Donnelly got the Chargers on the board with his first RBI of the season. Freshman Tom Rombilus added the second run as he singled to right field, driving in fellow freshman Greg Steele. Moras drove in two runs with the third Charger single of the inning.
Mesa State was able to extend their lead back to seven (12-5) as the Mavericks answered with another five runs in the bottom of the second. Mesa State only had two hits in the inning, both doubles, but were able to cash in on two walks and two hit batters by the Charger pitching staff.
The Chargers kept the Mavericks from extending their advantage in the middle innings but were only able to add one run during that stretch.
UNH began to rally in the seventh and eighth innings scoring three runs in both to close the Maverick lead to two runs, 14-12. In the seventh with two Chargers on base, Garrido homered knocking his second, third, and fouth RBI's of the season. Then in the eighth, junior Evan Okon doubled to center field plating two runs. Moras followed with his third hit of the game, a single up the middle, driving in the final Charger run.
Mesa State added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth to finish out the scoring for the final 15-12 score. T.J. Butch enduced three staight ground outs in the top of the ninth to collect the save for Mesa State.
Moras and Garrido both knocked in three runs to lead the Chargers, with Garrido's coming off his first homer of the season. Rombilus and Okon each drove in two and Donnelly collected his first RBI of the year.
After the Chargers return from their trip to the Rockies, they will have two weeks to regroup before they head to nationally-ranked No. 20 West Chester University for another four-game series, March 8-9.
