(03-25-08)
Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- American International College scored three times in the bottom of the ninth inning, including the final run after an error, to defeat University of New Haven 7-6 in non-conference baseball action at AIC Park on Tuesday afternoon.
UNH (6-11) got a pair of RBI's from Dan Rosa (3-for-4, triple) and one each from Chad Lemos and Tom Ballaro (two doubles). The Chargers scored the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth inning and added another in the top of the ninth to lead 6-4.
But AIC (3-9) got the rally started with the top of the lineup. Herb Coggeshall singled up the middle, Jason Rustico followed with a walk and Jeff Rustico doubled to left field to cut the lead to 6-5.
That spelled the end of the day for UNH reliever Vince Lehman, who was spelled by Dan Blake. Blake intentionally walked Dest to load the bases, but Kevin Farrell made him pay with a single into center field to tie the contest.
After Blake got Mike Massery to strike out, Dan Mooney's grounder to second base was mishandled and Jeff Rustico scrambled home with the game-winning run.
UNH took a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning, with Lemos and Ballaro doubling in succession to drive in a run each. But the lead was short-lived, as AIC got four runs in the bottom of the frame. Coggeshall drove in a pair on a double to right and Dan Fey singled through the left side to drive in another.
UNH tied the contest in the top of the sixth when Ballaro led off with his second double of the game and came around to score on a single by Rosa. Cesar Garrido doubled to lead off the eighth and scored on a triple by Rosa, and Evan Okon doubled to lead off the ninth and scored on an error to put UNH ahead 6-4.
UNH plays ECC foe Concordia College (N.Y.) on Wednesday afternoon at Frank Vieira Field.
