Box Score

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Steve Sobocinski pitched eight innings and Jon Ricco drove in two runs, but the Hartford baseball team fell to Bryant for a second consecutive day, 7-4. Sobocinski allowed six earned runs and seemed to get better as the game progressed, but the last 11 Hawk hitters to come to the plate were retired as Bryant swept the home-and-home two-game series.

The Bulldogs (9-13) struck first, scoring three times in the second inning, but Hartford (5-12) answered right back. Junior Andy Drexel led off the second with a scorcher down the right field line for a double. After junior Mike Aldrich moved him up to third with a groundout, junior Matt Walker ripped a double to the gap in right center, plating Drexel.

Next up was junior Rodger Wilmot, who chopped a slow hopper to third base. The Bryant third baseman charged and threw, but the throw sailed over first base and down the right field line. Wilmot raced to second, and Walker came around to score. After a strikeout, senior Jon Ricco laced a single to left, bringing Wilmot around with the tying run.

Bryant jumped back on top in the fourth inning, but once again, the bottom part of the Hawks' order drew the score even.

Wilmot lined a one-out single to right, followed by a roller down the right field line for a single by junior Bobby Gorski. Wilmot advantced to third. Ricco then followed with a comebacker, and with Wilmot charging home, the pitcher wheeled and tried to start a double play. He got Gorski at second, but the return throw was not good enough to catch Ricco. The run scored, and the inning remained alive.

Bryant scored three times in the sixth inning, aided by a soaring fly ball to center by Tim Norton that Andrew Siano lost in the sun. Norton pulled into third with a two-run triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Dan Muscatello.

Aldirch led off the sixth with a hard single up the middle and Wilmot added a single through the left side, but that would be the last runner to reach for the Hawks as Bryant pitching set down the last 11 men in order.

Hartford will be back on the diamond on Monday afternoon when they host the UConn Huskies in a make-up game originally scheduled for last Tuesday. The Hawks and Huskies will get underway at 3 p.m. from Fiondella Field. Tickets are still available by calling 860-768-HAWK, and they can also be purchased at the gate.