WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Hartford baseball team returns home on Saturday as it looks to get back on track in the America East. The Hawks (6-18, 1-3) will face Albany (2-22, 1-2) for three games over the weekend before a non-conference matchup with Quinnipiac (3-22, 3-5 NEC) on Tuesday.

The Hawks sit just a half game behind Albany and Stony Brook in the America East after the first weekend of conference play. Hartford was in every game in its opening series against UMBC, pushing the second game to 12 innings, but managed just one victory, a 10-2 romp in the opener of last Sunday's doubleheader.

Hartford comes into the weekend boasting one of the more prolific offenses in the conference. The Hawks are paced by junior Andy Drexel, whose seven home runs is tied for the top mark in the conference. His .690 slugging percentage is second in the league.

Junior college transfer Mike Aldrich has made an immediate impact, batting .361 with a .439 on-base percentage. Aldrich, who played at UConn Avery Point before joining the Hawks, has 20 RBIs, second only to senior catcher Mike Amendola's 22. As a squad, Hartford's .285 batting average is third in the conference.

Hartford will have a chance to get things going in the right direction when they face the Great Danes of Albany. Sitting at 2-22 on the season, Albany is not a team that can be overlooked, as evidenced by their 11-10 triumph over powerhouse Maine in the league's opening weekend.

The Great Danes have been paced thus far by Brian Bullard, whose .364 average, .420 OBP and 15 RBIs all lead the team. Mike Tirri is Albany's biggest power threat with four home runs.

Albany has proven to be one of the more patient teams in the America East, drawing 95 walks compared to just 65 for Hartford. That plate discipline could force an already thin Hartford pitching staff to work, creating problems for head coach Jeff Calcaterra's pitching staff.

After concluding their series with the Danes, Hartford will welcome Quinnipiac into Fiondella Field on Tuesday for a single game with their rivals to the south. The Bobcats, who host Long Island for four games over the weekend, are currently 3-22 and riding a five-game losing streak.

Brian Monack has powered the Quinnipiac offense, slugging three home runs and 18 RBIs. Catcher Kyle Nisson has the best average on the team at .342, having started 22 of his 24 games behind the plate. However, only three of his 26 hits have been for extra bases.

Sporting a 5.33 ERA, Kyle Birdsall has been the Bobcats' most consistent starter, while Alex Russow has pitched to a 2.35 ERA in nine appearances out of the bullpen.

Hartford and Albany are set to get underway at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday for a doubleheader. First pitch for Sunday's single game will be at 1 p.m. Quinnipiac comes to Fiondella Field for a 3 p.m. tilt on Tuesday. Tickets are still available by calling 860-768-HAWK. They can also be purchased at the gate.