(04-06-08)
Box Score
WEST HAVEN, Conn. -- The University of New Haven (12-13, 8-3 ECC) baseball team survived a late ninth inning rally by Dowling College (14-11, 5-5 ECC) to win 4-3 and take the East Coast Conference season series 2-1.
The Chargers got six scoreless innings from freshman Mike Aquilino (photo) on his way to his third win of the season. Junior Evan Okon and sophomore Tom Ballaro provided the Chargers with the necessary offense as Okon knocked in two runs and Ballaro drove in one in the victory.
Aquilino and Dowling starter Richard Barry shut down both offenses putting up zeros across the board for the first four innings. Barry, who went to distance for the Golden Lions, allowed three runs to cross the plate in the bottom of the fifth giving the Chargers a 3-0 lead.
Junior Kyle Bombace led off the inning with a bunt single followed by a Tom Rombilus single to center field moving Bombace to second. Kyle Donnelly then grounded out to third advancing both runners. Okon came to the plate and hit a two-RBI double to right center for the early lead. Okon then stole third as Michael Moras walked. Then with two outs, Moras got caught in a rundown between first and second, allowing Okon to score from third.
Dowling threatened in the top of the seventh with a leadoff single by Colin Barnathan and a walk by Henry Fuentes giving the Lions runners at first and second with one out. UNH brought in relief pitcher Dan Johnson who got out of a bases-loaded jam with a strike out and ground out to perserve the 3-0 margin.
The Chargers were able to add an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth as Okon lead off with his second hit of the game, a bunt single to the pitcher. Okon advanced to second after a strike out and ground out, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Ballaro then came to the plate and doubled to deep right center giving UNH a 4-0 advantage heading into the final frame.
The Golden Lions were able to rally in the top of the ninth plating three runs but freshman closer Mitch Rossi recovered to give the Chargers the 4-3 win. Designated hitter Chris Caputo and right fielder Fuentes had back-to-back singles to start the inning for Dowling. After a walk to Dan Pembroke, Rossi was faced with a bases loaded and no out situation. Rossi responded with a strike out of pinch hitter Matthew Monastero, but allowed the first run to score on a ground out to third. A two-RBI single by Brian Ferguson got the Golden Lions to within one, but the next batter to grounded out to Rossi ending the Dowling comeback attempt.
The Chargers next take the field on Wednesday, April 9 as they travel to Concordia (N.Y.) in a single ECC game at 3:00 p.m.
