(03-16-09) BOCA RATON, Fla. - Senior Jimmy Rivas hit a grand slam in the top of the third inning to help lead the University of New Haven baseball team to an 8-3 victory over Molloy College Monday afternoon in Florida. The Chargers improve to 3-3 with the win and the Lions fall to 8-4 with the loss.
The Chargers opened scoring in Monday's game with a trio of runs in the top of the second inning. Rivas led off with a single to left center for the Chargers. Jordan Kershaw singled right behind Rivas and Dan Harper walked after Kershaw to load the bases. Cory Carr stepped to the plate for the Chargers and hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Rivas. A wild throw from right field allowed Kershaw to score as well. Adam Rozum singled down the right field line on the next play and drove in Harper. After the eventful second inning, UNH led 3-0.
The Chargers added four runs in the top of the third inning thanks to Rivas' grand-slam bomb over the left field fence. Tom Rombilus and Kyle Bombace both walked to lead off the inning, while Evan Okon laid down a bunt-single to load the bases for Rivas. The Lions trimmed the lead in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three to bring their deficit within four, 7-3.
The Chargers added another run in the sixth inning, taking an 8-3 lead. Ian Solomon and Bombace combined for the final three scoreless innings to close out the victory for the Chargers.
Vince Lehman pitched six complete innings and earned the win for New Haven. He faced 26 batters, threw six strikeouts and gave-up three runs.
Rivas led the Chargers, going 2-for-4 with two runs and four RBI. Carr went 1-for-3 with one run and one RBI, while Rozum also went 1-for-3 with one RBI.
The Chargers return to action tomorrow, March 17, at 11:30 a.m. against Caldwell College. The game will be played at the Santaluces Sports Complex in Lantana, Fla.
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