BROOKLINE, Mass. – The University of Hartford baseball team dropped a 403 decision to the Northeastern Huskies in its lone mid-week game on Tuesday at Friedman Field. Junior right fielder Ryan Lukach highlighted the Hawks seven hits with his third home run of the season lifting this one over the left field fence.

Lukach finished the game with two of the Hawks seven hits joined by senior catcher James Alfonso in leading the team. In addition to Lukach's RBI off his solo home run, Alfonso knocked in the remaining two Hartford runs when he drove in the game-tying and go-ahead runs in the top of the sixth inning.

The Huskies rallied for their game-tying and go-ahead runs in the seventh inning with relievers Brad Burcroff and Michael Foster retiring all six Hawks they faced in order to secure the victory. Foster closed out the game earning his fifth save of the season while Mike Fitzgerald earned the victory.  

The loss for Hartford goes to starter Brian Murphy (2-3) who pitched 6-1/3 and gave up all four runs, two of which were earned. Murphy would allow a total of eight hits while walking two and punching out a pair. Jacob Mellin and Alex Gouin would close out the final five outs for the Hawks with neither allowing a base runner.

The Hawks first run of the game came in the second inning when Lukach led off the inning with his thing long ball of the year, this one just over the left field fence. That run provided a 1-0 lead that would stand until the Huskies took their first lead of the game with a pair of runs in the fifth.

Hartford answered that lead change with one of their own in the sixth, taking advantage of a pair of walks issued by Aaron Civale. Chris DelDebbio and David MacKinnon each worked the free passes and advanced into scoring position on an infield groundout. Alfonso followed that with a double down the left field line which allowed both runners to score and provided a 3-2 advantage.

The Huskies answered in the top of the seventh taking the lead for good thanks to a two RBI single from short stop Jason Vosler.

Hartford will return to conference play with a three-game home series against the UMBC Retrievers. The series, which will be the final home weekend series for the Hawks, will begin with a doubleheader on Saturday and conclude with a single game on Sunday. Both days are scheduled for a 12 p.m. start. The Hawks will honor their senior class prior to the series finale on Sunday.