BALTIMORE, Md. – Behind eight strong innings from starter Sean Newcomb the Hartford baseball team scored a 4-2 victory in the series finale against UMBC, securing a 4-2 record for the season-long series. At the plate, the Hawks were led by Ryan Lukach and James Alfonso who each finished with two hits, including a home run from Lukach.

The Hawks (16-33 overall, 12-15 America East) finished with 10 hits overall while Newcomb allowed just four to the Retrievers. Hartford scattered four of those 10 hits over the first six innings but were unable to score a run in that same span. Five of the final six hits came in the seventh and eighth inning as the Hawks scored all four runs on those five hits. In addition to Lukach's RBI off his solo home run, Brady Sheetz and Chris DelDebbio also drove one run apiece as each finished with one hit.

Newcomb would be charged with both of the Retrievers runs in the game, with just one of those registering as an earned run. He did not give up a walk while striking out seven batters in his second longest outing of the season. Freshman Jeremy Charles recorded his team leading sixth save of the season, facing four batters in the final inning.

UMBC struck early on Sunday as they managed their first run in the bottom of the first inning using a pair of singles from Kevin McCabe in the leadoff position and Rob LaChance who drove in the run. The only other run for the home team came in the eighth inning as Jesse Smith scored the second run when he was driven home on a sacrifice fly from third baseman Mark Esposito.

The Hawks first run of the game was a single game-tying score in the seventh inning and came in the form of Lukach's team-leading fourth home run, a solo blast over the left field fence with one out. Hartford would then rely on a hit batter and four singles to score three runs in the eighth. Sheetz is credited with the game-winning RBI as he dove in Trey Stover who was the second runner to reach, using a single to right field. DelDebbio would then drive in Brian Estevez for the final run.

The Hawks will host in-state rival Central Connecticut State University for their only mid-week tune-up on Wednesday afternoon at Fiondella Field. The Hawks and Blue Devils are scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. start. Hartford will then host Stony Brook University for three games to close out the regular season with the final spot in the four-team America East Championship on the line.