FAIRFIELD, Conn. – A six inning shutout performance from freshman Sam McKay led Hartford (4-16 overall) to a 2-1 victory over the Fairfield Stags on Thursday. McKay allowed three hits in his first collegiate start while classmate Chris DelDebbio and junior James Alfonso knocked in the Hawks two runs.

Hartford finished with five total hits in the game, two of which came from the leadoff position and Trey Stover. Nick Dummar joined Alfonso and DelDebbio in scattering the three other hits. On the hill, McKay was joined by Jacob Mellin and Justin Robarge in completing the one run victory, with the latter earning the Hawks first save of the season and the first in the freshman's collegiate career.

Hartford took an early lead in the game, scoring a single run in the top of the first inning. Stover got the offense off and running with a single through the right side before three-straight free passes, the fourth of which a walk to Alfonso drove in Stover.

The Stags picked up their first hit of the game in the second inning but McKay forced the next batter into a double play. The home team did threaten in the third inning after back-to-back one out singles from Jack Salpietro and Sal Ciccone. The pair would end the inning stranded on base after an infield groundout and a strikeout from McKay, one of five for the rookie hurler.

Hartford then put its second run, the game-winner, on the board in the fifth inning, recording three hits, including a double to left center field from DelDebbio which drove in the run. Dummar led off the inning with a single up the middle and after being sacrificed to second by second baseman Aaron Wilson scored two batters later courtesy of Dummar. Hartford would also threaten in the eighth and ninth innings, leaving five runners stranded in that stretch.

Fairfield's lone run came in the eighth inning with Ciccone scoring the run thanks to a double to left field from second baseman Rob LoPinto. Ciccone originally reached base on a fielder's choice as he beat out a double play attempt from the Hawks.

Hartford will return to the diamond on Friday when they open their third America East Conference series welcoming the Binghamton Bearcats to Fiondella Field. The Hawks and Bearcats are scheduled for a doubleheader on Friday (12:00 p.m.) and a single game on Saturday (12:00 p.m.).