(04-25-08)
Box Score
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. -- For the second game in a row, the University of New Haven baseball team gave up multiple runs in the first inning in an East Coast Conference loss. This time it was a four-run lead after one frame that keyed C.W. Post's crucial 5-2 conference victory, giving the Pioneers a 2 1/2 game lead over the Chargers heading into tomorrow's doubleheader at Frank Vieira Field.
C.W. Post (23-20, 15-7 ECC) got four runs in their first turn at the plate by knocking out five hits and getting one error by UNH (17-21, 12-9 ECC). The Pioneers entered Friday in a tie with Molloy College for first place atop the ECC standings, while the Chargers were tied with St. Thomas Aquinas for third.
Mike Sylvester led off the first inning with a solo home run, Kyle Walker followed with a double and scored on a single by Mike Callaghan. Then the Pioneers added a pair of unearned runs after a throwing error by first baseman Cesar Garrido and an ensuing single by Steve Algarroba.
The runs came in support of starter Bobby Kay, who allowed two runs (one earned) in eight innings of work. He struck out eight Charger batters to improve to 6-1 this season, and Anthony Rinaldi allowed just a walk while closing out his fourth save this year in the ninth.
Michael Moras had the lone RBI for the Chargers, who plated single runs in the second and third innings but stranded nine runners in the game. Moras was 2-for-3 while both Jimmy Rivas and Kyle Donnelly finished 2-for-4.
C.W. Post added a third unearned run, their fifth tally of the game in all, in the bottom of the seventh inning. UNH had a runner thrown out at the plate in the third and stranded runners in the fourth, fifth, seventh and ninth innings. In the fourth, UNH had first and second but saw their No. 1 and 2 hitters both fly out to right field. In the fifth, again with two on, a line drive catch at first base and a strong throw doubled up Rivas off third base.
UNH will look to rebound from three straight ECC road losses when they host C.W. Post on Saturday beginning at noon at Frank Vieira Field.
