BOX SCORE
Kingston, R.I. – The Hartford baseball team dropped a 5-2 decision in its only mid-week action at Rhode Island on Wednesday. The Hawks (9-31 overall) were led by catcher James Alfonso who drove in both of the Hawks runs on a single up the middle in the eighth inning.
Sophomore designated hitter Brian Hunter led the Hawks hitters with two total, while the team finished with just four hits. Alfonso and Brian Estevez were the only other with hits. The Hawks did work five walks, three of which were issued to leadoff hitter Rob Meerman, who eventually became one of the Hawks two runs along with Estevez.
Hawks starter Zach Ferris suffered the loss on the mound, his fourth in as many decisions. Ferris pitched two innings and allowed one earned run on two hits. He also walked four batters and struck out one. Freddy Andujar, Ryan Carter and Alex Fiste all saw relief time on the hill. Andujar was credited with allowing two runs on three hits in three innings of work, while Carter and Fiste each allowed one run. Andujar led all Hawks pitchers with three strikeouts.
Rhode Island starter Bobby Dean and reliever Ty Sterner combined for seven innings of shutout baseball before the Hawks put their runs on the board in the eighth inning. Of the pair, Dean was the only to allow a hit (two), pitching six innings, while Sterner pitched one inning. At the plate, Jeff Roy led the Rams with a 3-of-5 performance.
The Rams scored all five of their runs in separate innings, putting the first run on the board in the second. They added one more run in the third. Both of the first two runs for Rhode Island came courtesy of extra base hits, the second of which was a solo home run from Pat Quinn. Pat Fortunato started the second inning off with a double to right center and would eventually score the first run of the game after stealing third and scoring n a wild pitch.
Rhode Island added single runs in the fifth, seventh and eight. The run scored in the fifth inning proved to be the game winner and it came courtesy of one pitch and one swing of the bat, the second solo home run of the game, this one off the bat of centerfielder Jeff Roy.
Hartford's scoring all began with a leadoff single from Estevez, who was then able to reach third on a failed pickoff attempt during Meerman's at bat. Meerman worked his third walk and was followed by a walk to Trey Stover loading the bases. Alfonso took advantage of the three runners on base by sneaking a single through the infield, allowing Estevez and Meerman to score with all with no outs.
The Hawks return to action with a four-game weekend series against the Binghamton Bearcats. Hartford welcomes Binghamton to West Hartford for a pair of doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday afternoon at Fiondella Field. First pitch on both days is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
