ORLANDO, FL ? The University of Hartford baseball team dropped its series opener against the University of Central Florida Knights by a 5-0 score on Friday night. Hartford and UCF will battle again on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. with the series concluding on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Knight Hurler Kyle Sweat dominated the Hawks (0-5), with his seven innings of shutout pitching, allowing four total hits. His seven innings pitched marked the longest outing of the year by a UCF pitcher. The righty walked just two and struck out a pair. Completing the shutout, freshman D.J. Hicks went the final two innings, only giving up two hits and sitting down one on strikes.
Simon Kudernatsch provided the most excitement for Hartford as he launched his first at bat down the left-field line, which Josh Siebenaler sprinted after it, laid out and made a highlight-reel catch while crashing into the fence. Siebenaler wrapped up his team leading performance with a perfect 4-for-4 performance at the plate.
Right-handed sidearmer Weston Szymanski suffered the Hawks loss, his second of the season. He pitched six full innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits, while sitting down three. Kyle Perry closed out the game for Hartford, pitching the final two innings allowing one earned run on four hits and striking out three.
At the plate, the Hawks were led by Ben Sobocinski, the only player to finish with a multi-hit game, who was 2-of-4. Also adding hits was Brady Stouffer, Mike Amendola, Bobby Gorski and Chris Suchy.
