WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Sophomore Nate Gonya (Wolfeboro, N.H.) and junior Robert Kelly (Aurora, Colo.) each drove in runs and senior Sean Hayden (Haverhill, Mass.) tossed eight strong innings, but the Saint Anselm College baseball team dropped a pair of games against the University of New Haven at Frank Viera Field to open up Northeast-10 play. New Haven captured game one, 6-0, and edged Saint Anselm, 3-2, in the second game.
The Hawks drop to 7-12 on the season, while the Chargers improve to 10-4.
New Haven took a 1-0 lead in the first inning of game one against Saint Anselm starter Neil Hesek (Northboro, Mass.) when Brendon Buckley's two-out single plated Stephen Clout, who walked to lead off the frame.
The Chargers scored three more in the fifth on a two-run double to left by Ryan Brockett and an RBI single by David Wirkus.
Buckley tripled to right to make it 5-0 in the seventh before Brendan O'Reilly scored on an error after Joe Romanelli stole second in the eighth.
Hesek (1-4) went five innings and allowed four runs on five hits, while striking out five and walking three. Junior William O'Connor (Worcester, Mass.) worked the final three innings, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk.
New Haven starter Taylor Candage tossed eight shutout innings, allowing two hits, while striking out three and walking two.
Gonya and sophomore Kyle Grumoli (So. Hadley, Mass.) each went 1-for-3.
In the second game, the Hawks jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Kelly singled to right to drive in junior Andrew Chandler (Westford, Mass.), who also singled to right to lead off the contest.
The Chargers tied it in the second when Buckley doubled to right off Hayden, stole third and then scored on a throwing error.
New Haven then grabbed the lead with two in the sixth on an RBI double to right by Jack Heary and a sacrifice fly to right by Brockett.
The Hawks put together a rally in the ninth against Chargers' closer Peter Jay. Junior Richie Manzi (Plymouth, N.H.) was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and then went to second when Kelly drew a walk. After Jay got the first out of the inning, both baserunners moved up 90 feet when he balked. Gonya followed with a single that scored Manzi and moved Kelly to third. Jay then induced a pop-up that resulted in a double play to get out of the jam and seal the victory.
Hayden (1-3) pitched eight innings and allowed three runs on four hits, while striking out five and walking two.
Pat Simone worked eight innings for New Haven, allowing an unearned run on four hits, while striking out three and walking a pair.
Senior Jeffrey Criscuolo (Durham, Conn.) was 1-for-2, while Kelly went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Gonya, Chandler and freshman Mike Hayden (Cranston, R.I.) each went 1-for-4. Gonya drove in a run, while Chandler scored one.
The Hawks return to action Sunday, March 25 when they take on Southern Connecticut State University in doubleheader action that begins at noon. The Hawks open their home slate Wednesday, March 28 at 3:30 p.m. when they play host to Franklin Pierce University at Sullivan Park.
