Burlington, VT - After sweeping two games from Vermont on Saturday, the Hawks allowed Vermont to sweep the final two games of the four-game series on Sunday. The Catamounts used a six-run fourth inning to win 10-7 in the early game and a six-run third inning in the second game to win 14-5. Hartford stands at 12-27 overall and 4-10 in America East play. The Catamounts are now 15-28 overall and 7-9 in conference action.
In the first game, Hartford's Bob Rogers suffered the loss, he is now 2-6 on the season. Rogers was the only relief pitcher in the game, pitching the final three innings. He allowed seven runs, three of them earned, on four hits and five walks with two strikeouts. Cory Beahm started for Hartford, pitching the first three innings. Beahm allowed three runs, one earned, on four hits with five walks and five strikeouts.
At the plate, Hartford was led by Simon Kudernatsch who finished 2-for-4 with four RBI. Three other players finished with one RBI each, while Andy Drexel and Brady Stouffer each added two hits for the Hawks. Both also added an RBI.
Hartford got on the scoreboard first with a three run second inning and then extended its lead to 5-1 with two runs in the top of the fourth. The Catamounts stormed back in the bottom of the fourth scoring six runs to take the lead, never relinquishing it.
The Hawks batted around in the second inning. Ben Sobocinski started the offense working a one-out walk and then scoring on the next at bat, a double to left center from Stouffer. Stouffer and Victor Santana, who walked to reach base, would be the final two runs of the inning, both scoring on a single to center field from Kudernatsch.
In the fourth inning, Kudernatsch again recorded two RBI on a single, this time to second base, which scored Jason Freethey, who double to reach, and Andrew Siano who reached on a fielder's choice.
The Hawks would have their seventh inning rally cut short, scoring two runs, but falling three short of tying the game. Mike Amendola started the final inning off with a walk and scored on the next batter, a double to center from Drexel. Drexel then became the next run, scoring on a single up the middle from Sobocinski.
In the nightcap, the Hawks went behind early, allowing a single run in the first inning but then six more in the third to trail 7-0. After scoring their first two runs in the top of the fourth, the Hawks allowed four more Catamount runs in the bottom of the inning and then three more in the eight, trailing by as much as 14-3. Two more Hartford runs would come in the top of the ninth, but it was too little to late.
Hawks starter Zach Tarner suffered the loss in the second game. He pitched the first three innings allowing seven earned runs on six this with three walks and a strikeout. Matt Govoni and Andrew Smith saw time out of the bullpen. Govoni pitched three innings and allowed three earned runs on four hits, while Smith pitched the final two innings and allowed three earned runs on four hits. Both Govoni and Smith Struck out two batters.
At the plate, the Hawks were led by Kudernatsch and Sobocinski, the only two players who had two hits. Three players recorded RBI's in the game: Drexel, Matt Walker and Stouffer.
The Hawks will play one more road game in the regular season, playing at Central Connecticut on Tuesday afternoon. The Hawks and Blue Devils are scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. first pitch at Beehive Field in New Britain, CT.
