Stony Brook, NY - The University of Hartford baseball team, behind a quality performance from starting pitcher Weston Szymanski, earned a 5-2 road victory in the first of a four-game conference series against the Stony Brook Seawolves on Friday afternoon. The Hawks improve to 10-14 overall and 4-1 in conference play, while Stony Brook falls to 15-12 overall and 4-1 in America East action.
Szymanski through his second complete game of the season allowing two earned runs on seven hits. He gave up no walked and struck out six batters, facing 34 total in the game. Szymanski improves to 2-2 on the season and leads the team in strikeouts with 31.
Szymanski allowed both runs to score in the first inning. He gave up a triple and a home run in the first three batters allowing the two runs. He then never allowed a runner to get past second base until the ninth inning. He pitched three-straight one-two-three innings in the fourth, fifth and sixth. He allowed one hit each in the second, third and seventh.
Hartford began chipping into the lead with a single run in the third inning after a lead off error allowed Adam Bowser to reach base. Bowser then advanced to second and was awarded third on a throwing error on the pitcher. He then scored on an infield ground out by Adam Grap.
The Hawks took the lead in the sixth inning when the Hawks saw back-to-back hits to start the inning. Simon Kudernatsch opened the inning with single to left field and scored on the next batter when Bill Perry hit his third home run of the season over the left center field fence.
Hartford added single runs in the eighth and ninth inning, providing a three run cushion for Szymanski. After a leadoff walk, Kudernatsch smacked his second hit of the game, a single through the left side. He advanced to second on an infield ground out and then scored on a single to left from Matt Walker. In the ninth after a strike out to lead off the inning, Bowser hit a double to left center. He then stole third and scored on a wild pitch.
In the bottom half of the ninth, Szymanski allowed a leadoff single. He then forced the second batter out on a fly ball and forced the next into a fileder's choice, taking out the lead runner. He then allowed a double from Chad Rebecca, putting runners at second and third and brining the tying run to the plate. Szymanski forced the seven hole hitter, Michael Tansey, into a popup to end the game.
Hartford and Stony Brook will continue the series with a scheduled doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 12:00 p.m. at the Stony Brook University Field.
