The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team fell to the University of New Haven 8-2 at the USA Baseball Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina on Saturday. 
 
The Chargers jumped out in front early, scoring three runs in the first and two in the second. Despite collecting 7 hits in the game, STAC was unable complete a comeback to the early deficit. 
 
Christopher Conti delivered on the day for the Spartans as Conti was the only member of the maroon and gold to post a multi-hit game. But the story of the game was New Haven's damage control, as they managed to strand 7 STAC runners on base in the contest. 
 
The St. Thomas Aquinas bullpen put together another strong outing. Pitchers Ryan Hicks, Yanni Orfanidis, Ryan Lutz and Justin Baeyens combined for 4.2 innings pitched, only allowing 4 hits and 2 earned runs, while striking out 5 opposing batters. 
 
STAC (4-4) will look to rebound when they return to action on Sunday against Walsh University. First pitch is scheduled for 1pm.

HIGHLIGHTS AND NOTES:  

• New Haven jumped out in front early, highlighted by an RBI single by Noah Budzik and a two-run double by Robert Taylor in the first inning to put the Chargers up 3-0 and then a Noah Budzik 2 RBI single in the second to push the lead to 5-0.
• St. Thomas Aquinas would get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning on the strength of a Brian Donnelly and Christopher Conti RBI singles to cut the deficit to 5-2.
• The Chargers would scratch across another run in the top of the sixth inning a Tyler Wells walk with the bases loaded would score Andrew Cain to make it 6-2 New Haven.
• The visitors from Connecticut plated two more insurance runs in the eighth when Tyler Wells would hit a 2 RBI single up the middle to increase the lead to 8-2.
• Thomas Gregory got the start for St. Thomas Aquinas, picking up the loss and running his record to 1-1 on the year. Gregory gave up 5 runs on 6 hits over 4.2 innings, while walking 4 and striking out 5.
• Bryan Puzalski took the mound for New Haven and threw for 6-innings, 5 hits and an earned run, while walking none and striking out 5 to pick up his second win of the season (2-0).
• The Charger bullpen of Noah Eisel, Cam Guarino and Drew Silverman combined for three shutout innings of baseball, surrendering only 1 hit and a walk, while striking out 4 Spartans.