(05-06-09) WALTHAM, Mass. - The University of New Haven baseball team defeated the Bentley University Falcons 4-0 Wednesday afternoon and advanced to the Northeast-10 Conference Championship Tournament semifinals. The Chargers will take on top seed and host Franklin Pierce University in the semifinals on Friday. With the win the Chargers improve to 21-19 on the season.
Kyle Donnelly drove in the Chargers winning run in the top of the second inning with a single up the middle. Senior Jimmy Rivas scored on the play to give UNH the go-ahead run.
The Chargers held the Falcons to one hit in the first three innings, and added one run in the top of the third inning to take a two run lead. Senior Evan Okon drove in his 21st run of the season with a single to right field.
New Haven registered one run in the fourth and held the Falcons hitless to carry their 2-0 lead into the fifth inning. Both teams collected one hit in the fifth and left one runner on base, to hold the score at 2-0.
In the top of the sixth inning the Chargers left two on base, but scored one off a Dan Harper RBI single up the center. The Chargers retired the side, including a third out strikeout from pitcher Chris Smith.
Ryan Brockett led off the top of the seventh with a double over the shortstop and advanced to third on a balk. Rivas then stepped to the plate and drove in his 40th run of the season with a single down the right field line, giving the Chargers a 4-0 lead through sixth and a half innings. After walking the opening batter, Smith forced two fly-outs and a foul fly in the bottom of the seventh.
The Falcons dropped the Chargers first three batters of the eighth inning, including a runner caught stealing at second base. The Falcons got their first batter on base in the bottom of the eighth with a double to left field. New Haven then retired the next three batters.
In the final inning, the Chargers managed one base runner before hitting into three outs. Smith struck out the first batter in the bottom of the ninth and allowed the second batter to get on base with a single. After striking out the next batter, Smith forced the Falcons into a fly out in their final at-bat.
Smith threw his first complete game shutout of the season and added five strikeouts. He allowed just four hits and only one extra-base hit. The junior added just two walks and did not throw a wild pitch.
Brockett and Kyle Pettoruto led the Chargers with two hits each. Rivas drove in one run and scored one, while Brockett added one run.
The Chargers return to action on Friday when they travel to Franklin Pierce University. Game time is set for 4 p.m. in Rindge, N.H. Complete tournament information will be available shortly.
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