GAME ONE BOX SCORE
GAME TWO BOX SCORE

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - For three games against the NJIT Highlanders this weekend, the Hartford baseball team gave itself chances to win, but could not put the games away as they fell each time. In the fourth game of the weekend set, however, the Hawks left nothing to chance as they scored seven runs in the first inning en route to a 12-8 victory. Andy Drexel's grand slam set the tone before the Highlanders could get an out in the game. Vincent Fiore came out of the bullpen to pitch 4.1 strong innings of relief, picking up the victory. The win gave the Hawks a split in Sunday's doubleheader after they fell in Game One, 4-3.

The Hawks' big first inning came after starting pitcher Tyler Corsi worked out of trouble in the top of the first. After his defense committed back-to-back errors to open the game, Corsi walked DJ Roche to load the bases. Brian Bleakley then put NJIT up 1-0 with a sacrifice fly, but a good throw from Rodger Wilmot kept the runners at first and second. Corsi then induced what appeared to be a double play ball to shortstop Simon Kudernatsch, but the runner was called safe at first base, and the inning continued. It would have no major effect, however, as Corsi got Vincent Del Vecchio to roll a comebacker that ended the inning with just one run coming across.

When the Hawks came to the plate, they did not even need to swing the bat to get the bases loaded, as NJIT starter Joe Fasano walked the first three Hartford hitters to come up. Then, with an 0-2 count, Drexel saw a pitch that he liked and launched it deep over the right-center field fence, his first home run of the season and the first grand slam for the Hawks in 2011.

Fasano was removed after Drexel's slam, but reliever Zach Emmett did not fare much better, as he walked the first two batters he faced. After a fly ball for the first out of the inning, Matt Walker laced a double to the gap in right center field which plated both Brian Hunter and Ryan Lukach. After another walk, Victor Santana came up for a second time in the inning and singled home Walker, bringing an end to Emmett's day.

The Highlanders crept back in the game with three runs in the second, but Hartford answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Rodger Wilmot scorched a drive to the gap in left-center field. Never slowing down, the senior center fielder rached all the way around for a triple, his fourth of the season. Wilmot scored moments later when Walker singled him home.

The Hawks got their ninth run in the third inning thanks to back-to-back doubles by Santana and Kudernatsch. Then, after three scoreless frames, the Hawks tacked on three insurance runs in the seventh.

Santana, who finished 3-for-4 with two walks, got things started with his second double. Kudernatsch's sacrifice bunt moved Santana up 90 feet, and after James Alfonso walked, Drexel got his fifth RBI of the game with a single to right. Hunter then drove home Alfonso when he sent a low liner fair down the left field line for a double, and Wilmot drove in Drexel with the Hawks' twelfth run when he hit into a fielder's choice.

Fiore, who had pitched four scoreless innings after relieving Corsi in the fourth inning, allowed two runners on with one out in the eighth inning before being lifted for sophomore Brian Rice. Rice got out of the inning, but not before allowing a long three-run home run to Bleakley, pulling the Highlanders back within four.

Anthony Mannuccia came on and pitched a one-two-three ninth inning to slam the door and get the Hawks their second win of the season.

The victory came on the heels of a third-straight one-run loss to NJIT, this one 4-3 in the first game of the doubleheader. Freshman Ryan Lukach pitched well, allowing just three earned runs over 6.1 innings, but tired at the end, giving up back-to-back home runs to Matt Weckerle and DJ Roche that put NJIT up 4-2 heading to the top of the ninth. Hartford got a run back with James Alfonso's RBI single, but could not even the score.

Rodger Wilmot had a double and a run scored in the first game, while Alfonso finished with two hits and the RBI.

Lukach took the loss, while Tripp Davis went the distance for the victory for NJIT.

Hartford will return to action on Tuesday afternoon when it hosts Holy Cross for a single game at Fiondella Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. The game will be the final one before Hartford begins conference play next weekend at Albany. Tickets for the Holy Cross game are still available, and can be purchased by calling 860-768-HAWK.