Baseball Opens 2023 Home Slate With Doubleheader Split Against Mercy College

Bridgeport, Conn.-The University of Bridgeport baseball team (3-11) opened its 2023 home schedule on Sunday afternoon in Seaside Park by splitting a non-conference doubleheader with the Mercy College Mavericks (4-12), as the visitors took the opener, 2-0, and the Purple Knights came back to win the nightcap, 3-2.

In game one, sophomore Jeremy Rodrigues (Monroe, Conn.) went 3-for-3 at the plate.

The pitching duo of junior Jason Giambra (Milford, Conn.) and freshman Brendan Palmer (Ansonia, Conn.) had a solid outing in the opener, but starter Giambra was a hard luck loser working five innings in which he allowed four hits, two runs (both earned) with four strikeouts and two walks.  Palmer allowed only one hit with three K's over two innings out of the UB bullpen.

In game two, the Purple Knights spotted the Mavericks two runs in the top of the first inning but quickly responded with three of their own in the bottom of the frame on runs batted in from Justin Leigh (Jr., Bridgeport, Conn.) and sophomore Vin Mallon (Massapequa, N.Y.) plus a wild pitch.

Both Leigh and Mallon finished with two hits for the winners in game two.

On the mound, Justin Hafele (Grad., Shelton, Conn.) earned his first win of the season firing six strong innings in which he gave up seven hits, two runs (one earned) with six strikeouts and one base on balls.

Tyler Solomon (Sr., Blue Point, N.Y.) worked a one-two-three seventh inning to pick up his first save of 2023.

Up next, the Purple Knights will hit the road on Friday afternoon and travel to West Haven, Connecticut for a St. Patrick's Day matinee against local rival the University of New Haven.  First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.