Box Score

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - In the first game of a two-game, home-and-home set with the Bryant Bulldogs, the Hartford baseball team fell at Bryant, 14-1. Matt Walker homered and added a single for the Hawks, who managed just four hits and only pushed a runner past first base on Walker's home run.

Chris Greiner started for Hartford and took the loss. Joseph Micaud got the win for Bryant.

The Hawks were shut down in order in the first three innings before Andrew Siano beat out a bunt single leading off the fourth for the team's first hit. By that time, the Bulldogs already had a 2-0 lead and would add six more in the bottom of the fourth.

Down 8-0, the Hawks sent Walker up to bat first in the top of the fifth inning. With a handful of come-from-behind wins already to their credit, the bench came to life when Walker launched his first home run of the season to the deepest part of the ballpark in straightaway center field. Although Walker has gotten off to a good start at the plate, sporting a .364 average and .417 OBP coming into the game, the home run provided just his second RBI of the season.

Walker singled again in the seventh inning and freshman Erik Figueredo lined a single to center in the eighth, but that would be all the offense the Hawks could muster. Meanwhile, Bryant touched Greiner and reliever Mike Thatcher for 20 hits en route to the victory.

Nick Campbell went 2-for-4, driving in three runs, while Colin Dougherty scored three times, reaching base five times altogether.

Hartford and Bryant will do battle again on Saturday, this time at Fiondella Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.