NEW CANAAN, Conn. - Bayhawks player-coach Gary Gait isn't quite ready to apply for membership in AARP, even though his body tells him otherwise.

Bayhawks defenseman Rob Doerr isn't quite ready to back off from a challenge, especially when it's in the form of a close friend, Bridgeport Barrage attack Dan Denihan.

Gait, 35, who missed the Bayhawks' previous two games with a torn right calf muscle, scored three goals and assisted on another while Doerr held Denihan to a quiet one-goal, two-assist performance last night as the undefeated Bayhawks soared to their fourth straight MLL victory, 15-7, before 3,685 at Dunning Field.

The teams get to do it all over again tonight when Baltimore plays host to Bridgeport (0-4) at Ravens Stadium.

"I'll be honest ... my calf feels pretty good," Gait said. "But my old age is what affects me. My back's stiff. But I think I'm only going to get better."

It'll take time to get into it."

Gait had a pair of unassisted goals early in the first quarter to give Baltimore a 3-1 lead.

Bridgeport did pull within 3-2 at the break, on Keith Cromwell's extra-man goal with five seconds left. However, Baltimore hit Bridgeport with a three-spot in the first 4:42 of the second quarter - Gait scooping up Gavin Prout's rebound and flipping the ball home at 12:30; Paul Cantabene scoring unassisted off a fast break; and Josh Sims weaving his way through traffic before beating goalie Jim Mule at 10:18 for a 6-2 lead.

"I had some good looks at the cage, and, as a veteran player, any time you do you've got to finish 'em," Gait said. "I thought I could have had a few more ... I hit the crossbar on one shot."

Baltimore's Matt Millon, who began play as the MLL's second-leading scorer, hit the back of the net four times - three goals coming in the second half as he continually evaded Bridgeport rookie defenseman Nick Polanco. One of Millon's goal came during a fast-paced third quarter in which the Bayhawks outscored the Barrage 6-2 for a 12-6 lead.

Obviously, the lineup Gait put on the field was key. But deciding who should be matched with whom is one of the more daunting tasks facing Gait.

Doerr knew this wouldn't be a routine game, especially since he and Denihan, who was traded from Baltimore to Bridgeport in April, know each other from their time at Johns Hopkins.

"He's one of my best friends, so it's tough playing against him," Doerr said.

Bayhawks 3 3 6 3 - 15

Bridgeport 2 2 2 1 - 7

Goals: BA-Millon 4, Gait 3, Sims 2, Radebaugh 2, Cantabene, Collins, Marechek, Frye; BR-Colsey 2, Cromwell, Denihan, Miller, Panetta, Stribel. Assists: BA- Frye 2, Willis 2, Gait, Marechek; BR-Denihan 2, Cromwell, Panetta. Shots: BA 12 17 14 10 - 43, BR 7 11 16 6 - 40. Saves: BA-Cattrano 5 6 9 5 - 23; BR-Mule 5 4 2 2 - 13. Penalties-minutes: BA-6-3:50; BR-0-0. A-3,685.

Bayhawks tonight

Opponent:Bridgeport Barrage

Site:Ravens Stadium

Time:7:30