(04-30-09) NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - The University of New Haven baseball team defeated Merrimack College 18-4 Thursday afternoon in Massachusetts. With the win the Chargers improve to 20-18 overall and 16-13 in the Northeast-10 Conference (NE-10). The Warriors fall to 17-26 overall and 8-18 in the NE-10.
The Chargers took an early lead after a four-run second inning. Three hits and two Merrimack errors allowed the Chargers to score four runs. Tom Rombilus drove in two of the Chargers run to start the Chargers scoring run. After a quick four-better bottom of the second the Chargers added another four runs in the top of the third inning to take an 8-0 lead. Rombilus hit another RBI-single in the inning, which gave the Chargers their eighth run.
In the bottom half of the third the Warriors scored two runs and cut New Haven's lead to six. After a scoreless fourth inning, the Chargers exploded with a seven-run fifth inning and took a commanding 15-2 lead. New Haven improved their lead to 17-2 with a two-run seventh inning, while the Warriors scored their final two runs in the bottom of the seventh. UNH scored their final run in the ninth inning, sealing the 18-4 victory.
T.J. Phalen pitched seven complete innings for the Chargers and earned his fourth win of the season. He threw five strikeouts and allowed just two earned runs. Ian Solomon and Eric Peck each threw one scoreless inning and two strikeouts.
Rombilus led the Chargers offense with four hits, four RBI and two runs scored. The sophomore also stole a base. Freshman Ryan Brockett went 3-for-5 with three RBI and one run scored. Kyle Donnelly and Jordan Kershaw each added two RBI. Tom Ballaro added three runs scored.
The Chargers final NE-10 contest of the season is on Saturday when they travel to Stonehill College. Game time is set for 3 p.m. They conclude their regular season on Monday, May 4 when they travel to Post University.
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