Box Score JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Behind a grand slam from Ryan Lukach and three-run home runs from Adam Touhey and James Alfonso the University of Hartford baseball team cruised to an 18-6 series finale victory over the East Tennessee Buccaneers on Sunday. Hartford, who won its first series of the season, improves to 3-6 in 2014.
Lukach and Touhey each finished with a career-high three RBI while among a trio of Hawks who all smacked three hits to lead the team. Joining them was first baseman Brady Sheetz who finished 3-of-5 with a triad of RBI. Lukach's three hits came in four at bats while he also walked one. Touhey finished 3-of-6 at the plate while his home three run home run in the seventh was the first of his career.
Four other Hawks finished with two hits in the game as Hartford outhit the home squad 19-14. Trey Stover, David MacKinnon, Billy Walker and Chris DelDebbio all finished with a pair of hits with MacKinnon leading the four going 2-of-2 after entering as a pinch hitter in the eighth. Walker added a pair of RBI and two runs scored to his effort.
Freshman right-hander David Drouin made his first start in three appearances, pitching three innings and allowing four earned runs on five hits. Sophomore Sam McKay, also a right hander, earned the victory on the hill, the first of the season and fourth of his career. McKay pitched a total of two innings and was tagged with one of the Buccaneers runs giving up a pair of hits. Kyle Gauthier and Austin Barnes provided middle inning relief while redshirt freshman John McGinty closed out the final one and two-third innings.
The Hawks opened the scoring in the first inning, tagging Buccaneers starter Logan Rice for a pair of runs on the first of four home runs in the game. The initial long ball came from the DH Walker who made a throwing error at third base that allowed Brian Estevez to reach safely pay off. Walker's first home run of the season sailed over the left field fence.
ETSU responded by taking their only lead of the afternoon with a four run second inning that was erased by a five run fifth for the Hawks. Four of the runs came on hits from Lukach, Touhey and Stover with Touhey driving in a pair on a single to left field. Aaron Wilson registered the fifth RBI of the inning when he forced home a run on a five-pitch bases loaded walk.
The home team took one of those runs back in the sixth but Hartford broke the game open with eight runs in the top of the seventh inning seven of which came on the home runs from Touhey and Lukach, the latter of which a grand slam over the fence in left center field. Sheetz drove in the eighth run on a single.
ETSU added its final run in the eighth inning with one of the bat by Alfonso taking that one back and adding two additional as he drove in Lukach and DelDebbio, who both singled, on a home run to left center. His first home run as a senior was the sixth of his career.
The Hawks will return to New England for their first game in the Nutmeg State when they travel to New Britain to face the Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils on Wednesday. The Hawks and Blue Devils are scheduled for a 3 p.m. first pitch at Balf Savin Field.
