(03-16-08)
Box Score
WEST HAVEN, Conn. -- Sophomore starting pitcher T.J. Phelan (photo) tossed a complete game shutout, leading the University of New Haven baseball team to a 6-0 non-conference win over Merrimack College at Frank Vieira Field on Sunday afternoon.
With the win, UNH (2-8) has now won two games in a row, both over future Northeast-10 Conference opponents. Phelan picked up his first win of the season by striking out three and giving up only seven hits over his nine innings of work.
Freshman Tom Rombilus led the UNH offense with a game-high three hits, including two RBI's and two runs scored. He added two stolen bases.
Starting pitcher Mike Coppinger of Merrimack (0-6) was handed his second loss of the season, lasting only five innings. He gave up four runs (2 unearned) on six hits.
UNH broke the game open with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, all coming with two outs. Dan Rosa started the rally with a walk and was followed by an infield single by Kyle Bombace. Rombilus opened the scoring with a two-RBI single.
Then a throwing error by short stop Doug Heald, which would have ended the inning, allowed Evan Okon to reach and Rombilus to score. UNH continued to keep the pressure on with a Jimmy Rivas single down the left field line to make it a 4-run advantage.
But the afternoon belonged to Phelan. He scattered seven hits and was hitting his spots all afternoon.
He worked out of major jams in the fifth, sixth and ninth innings. With runners on first and second and no outs in the fifth, Phelan got some defensive help when catcher Michael Moras threw for the force out at third base on an attempted sacrifice bunt. Then Phelan induced Doug Heald into an inning-ending double play.
In the sixth, Merrimack left the bases loaded after they got a pair of walks sandwiched around a Mike Chandler single with two outs. Phelan got Bob McCarthy to ground out to short stop.
In the ninth inning, Phelan ended the game by getting out of another bases loaded situation after two singles and a walk. He got Heald to ground out to Bombace at short stop.
Chad Lemos put the Chargers ahead by five in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI double to deep right center. Wrapping up the scoring on the afternoon was a sacrifice fly by Okon, which plated Rombilus.
UNH now travels south for a doubleheader versus Belmont Abbey on Tuesday, with the games to be played beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. They travel to Wilmington (Delaware) College on Wednesday and Thursday.
