Winter Haven, FL ? The University of Hartford baseball team returned to action in Florida with a 10-1 loss to Indiana on Thursday in the RussMatt Central Florida Tournament. The Hawks fall to 1-8 overall, while Indiana improves to 7-11 on the season.
Hartford's only run came in the top of the first, following a lead off double down the left field line for Brady Stouffer. He would steal third and then score two batters later on a sacrifice fly to center from Mike Amendola.
The Hawks gave up the game-winning run in the bottom of the first, allowing three runs total. With one out, Hawks starter Weston Szymanski gave up four-straight hits, three of which were doubles. Jerrud Sabourin and Josh Phegley sparked the offense with back-to-back doubles leading to the first run. Alex Dickerson and Vince Gonzalez recorded the other two RBI.
Indiana added a single run in the fifth, three more in the sixth and capped it off with two runs in the eighth, taking an insurmountable lead into the top of the ninth. The Hoosiers finished with 15 total hits, while only giving up five. Of the 15 Hits, five went for extra bases, all doubles. Gonzalez finished the game leading the Hoosiers with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate with two RBI.
Hartford used five total pitchers. Szymanski pitched the first five full innings allowing five earned runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts. Myles Kelly and Mike Thatcher combined to pitch the sixth inning with Kelly giving up three earned runs on two hits and only managing one out. Brendan Floyd and Brady Stouffer closed out the game, each pitching an inning. Flowd faced four total batters in the seventh giving up one hit. Stouffer allowed two earned runs on two hits with a walk and a strikeout.
At the plate, the Hawks were led by Ben Sobocinski and Andrew Siano. Both finished with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate. Sobocinski's two hits were both singles, while Siano smacked a triple in his last at bat, but was left stranded.
The Hawks continue their Florida trip with a Saturday morning game against Illinois at 11:00 a.m.
