Sept. 28, 2007

NEW HAVEN, Conn.--Yale's freshmen were certainly impressive in their collegiate debuts. The four rookies in the starting lineup went a combined 9-for-15 with three RBIs and two runs scored, as the Bulldogs defeated the University of New Haven 7-3 in the semifinals of the annual Fall City Series at Yale Field. Yale will meet Quinnipiac, a 7-5 winner over Southern Connecticut State, at 3 p.m. Saturday for the championship. New Haven and Southern Connecticut State tangle in the consolation game Saturday at 12 p.m.

Freshman shortstop Gant Elmore was slotted in the leadoff spot and got the Bulldogs going with a single to left to start the bottom of the first inning. Stefan Schropp, starting at third base, followed with an RBI triple to the gap in right-center. Schropp scored when right fielder Ken Appel's throw to third went into the stands.

New Haven responded with three runs in the top of the second off Yale starter Brandon Josselyn. After Josselyn struck out Michael Moras to start the inning, the Chargers loaded the bases on a single by Jimmy Rivas, a walk to Appel, and a Chad Lemos single. All three runners eventually came across and New Haven led 3-2.

Yale tied it at 3-3 with a run in the bottom of the second. Left fielder Andrew Kolmar and designated hitter Andrew Megee smashed back-to-back singles leading off the inning, and Kolmar scored on second baseman Dan Soltman's base hit.

Josselyn settled down after that. Cesar Garrido singled leading off the top of the third, but that was the last hit Josselyn surrendered. He retired the next seven in a row before hitting Evan Okon with a pitch with one out in the fifth.

The Bulldogs took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth. Schropp walked leading off the inning, then stole second. He moved to third on center fielder Josh Cox's fly ball to center. After Lavarnway was walked intentionally, right fielder Andrew Moore came up looking to bunt. Before Moore could get the bunt down, Lavarnway stole second, putting the runners on second and third with one out. Moore was given the chance to swing away and responded with a two-run single to center that gave the Bulldogs a 5-3 edge. Yale added a run in the seventh and a run in the eighth to account for the final margin.

Josselyn gave up three runs (two earned) and four hits while striking out five and walking one in six innings to earn the win. Brian Irving picked up the save after surrendering just one hit and striking out five in three innings of shutout relief.

Each Yale freshman had at least one hit. Kolmar went 4-for-4 with four singles, a run scored and an RBI. Moore was 3-for-4 with the two game-winning RBIs. Megee went 1-for-3 and Elmore was 1-for-4 with a run scored. He also put down a sacrifice bunt. Schropp and Lavarnway each scored twice. As a team, the Bulldogs belted 13 hits, 12 singles and Schropp's triple.

Dan Johnson started for the Chargers and gave up three runs and eight hits while striking out two and walking two in 3.1 innings. T.J. Phelan took the loss for New Haven. He yielded three runs, four hits and two walks while striking out two in 3.2 innings of work. Matt Sammo pitched the eighth for the Chargers, giving up a hit and an unearned run.

Rivas had two of New Haven's five hits and scored a run. Lemos was 1-for-3 with a run scored and Dick went 1-for-4 with an RBI.

Yale and Quinnipiac will meet in the City Series championship game for the second straight year. Led by Tim Binkoski, who is currently playing minor league baseball in the Philadelphia Phillies system, the Bobcats posted a 20-6 victory to win last year's event.

Report filed by Joe Clifford, Yale Sports Publicity