(04-10-09) WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The University of New Haven baseball team defeated Pace University 5-2 and 14-11 Friday afternoon at Frank Vieira Field. With the wins the Chargers improve to 12-12 overall and 8-8 in the Northeast-10 Conference, while the Setters fall to 13-20-1 overall and 8-7-1 in the NE-10.
Game One
The Chargers scored one in the bottom of the second inning to score the game's first run. UNH added a run in the bottom of the seventh and added three runs in the bottom of the eighth to take a 5-0 lead into the final inning. Chris Smith, who pitched eight and 2/3 innings, allowed the only Setters runs in the top of the ninth inning.
Smith threw six strikeouts and faced 36 batters. He threw 123 pitches and forced 13 ground outs. Mitch Rossi pitched the final out and recorded his third save of the season.
Kyle Bombace led the Chargers with two hits and three RBI. Cory Carr and Evan Okon both went 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Jimmy Rivas and Kyle Pettoruto each tallied one hit. Dan Harper also registered a hit and a RBI.
Game Two
New Haven, the visiting team in game two, was the first to get on the board in the nightcap as well. The Chargers took at commanding 6-0 lead after a six-run second inning. The Setters scored two in the bottom of the second, cutting the Chargers lead to 6-2. The Chargers then scored two in the top of the third inning to take a 10-2 lead.
Rivas hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Tom Rombilus, to put the Chargers up 11-2 in the top of the fifth inning. UNH then took their largest lead of the game with two runs in the top of the sixth inning. The Setters' bats then came alive nine runs over the next three innings. The Chargers added one in the eighth inning to complete the 14-11 victory.
Okon led the Chargers with four RBI in game two, while Rombilus went 3-for-5 with three RBI and three runs. Bombace added two RBI off one hit, while Harper went 2-for-4 with a RBI and three runs.
Ian Solomon earned his first victory of the season for the Chargers with three strikeouts over four and 2/3 innings. Eric Peck earned his first save of the season in one and 2/3 innings pitched.
The Chargers will return to action on Monday when they travel to Pace University. The game was originally scheduled to be at New Haven, but was moved after the rescheduling of Friday's doubleheader. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.
Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two
