DURHAM, N.C. – Behind three RBI from redshirt senior Ryan Lukach, the University of Hartford baseball team scored a season opening victory by way of a 12-1 rout of the Iona Gaels in the opening game of the Duke Tournament at Coombs Field. Lukach was one of four Hawks who finished with a game-best two hits, while he was joined by sophomores David MacKinnon and Dalton Ruch who each drove in two runs.

Junior right hander Kyle Gauthier earned his sixth career victory, pitching seven innings and just four batters over the minimum in the season opener. The Lynn, Mass. native allowed just three hits and was charged with the lone Iona run, while tying his career-high with eight strikeouts. Junior Justin Robarge closed out the game, holding Iona scoreless in two innings of work, while striking out two.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

·       The Hawks 12-1 rout of the Iona Gaels is the first season opening victory under fourth year head coach Justin Blood and the first time the Hawks have opened a season with a win since starting the year 2-0 in 2010 with wins over CCSU and Central Florida. In both of those victories the Hawks also scored 12 runs.

·       Junior righty Kyle Gauthier faced just four batters over the minimum in his first outing of the season. Gauthier gave up three total hits and was charged with allowing the lone Iona run, while he also struck out eight batters, tying his career high originally set as a freshman against Albany.

·       As a team, the Hawks finished with 12 hits with four players leading the way with two hits apiece. Among the four leading hitters, redshirt senior Ryan Lukach led the way going 2-of-5 at the plate while driving in three of the 12 runs. In addition to Lukach, sophomore David MacKinnon and Dalton Ruch each drove in two runs.

·       Among the leading hitters were a pair of freshman who made their collegiate debut against the Gaels. Third baseman TJ Ward and leftfielder Nick Campana each finished with two hits, while each finished with one RBI apiece.

·       Overall, all but two of the nine Hawks who had appearances at the plate finished with at least one hit, while four other players each drove in one run. Among the 12 total hits were five extra base hits, four doubles and a triple. The lone three-bagger came from Campana, with the four doubles all coming from different players.

HOW THEY SCORED

·       Hartford opened the scoring early, pushing one run across the plate in the top of the first inning. Junior centerfielder Chris DelDebbio opened the game with a leadoff double to left field. Following a pair of outs, redshirt senior Ryan Lukach drove in DelDebbio with a two-out single up the middle.

·       With the game tied at one, the Hawks took the lead for good in the top of the sixth inning, plating three runs. The first three batters in the inning reached safely with sophomore first baseman David MacKinnon starting things off with a walk. Lukach followed that by reaching safely thanks to an Iona error, while a single to right center from freshman third baseman TJ Ward loaded the bases with no outs. Junior catcher Billy Walker then sacrificed himself to provide what would amount to be the game-winning run when he drove in MacKinnon on a sacrifice to left. Sophomore second baseman Dalton Ruch would drive in the final three runs thanks to a two-out double to right center that pushed Ward and senior shortstop Trey Stover across the plate.

·       The Hawks added four insurance runs in the eighth and ninth innings to net their first double figure scoring game of the season. Highlighting the eighth inning for Hartford was a one out RBI triple from freshman right fielder Nick Campana, whose first extra-base hit drove in Ruch who worked the second walk of the inning. DelDebbio and MacKinnon would also drive in one run each in the inning. Highlighting the Hawks ninth inning rally was a two run double for Lukach, with one of those RBI's driving in MacKinnon who also singled in a run in the previous at bat. Ward wrapped up the scoring with an RBI single up the middle.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

·       The victory on the hill for junior Kyle Gauthier is the sixth of his career, while his eight strikeout tied his career-high originally set as a freshman against league foe Albany.  

·       Redshirt senior Ryan Lukach drove in three or more runs for the eighth time in his career as he led the Hawks at the plate with two hits in five at bats while driving in three of the 12 runs.

·       Sophomore infielders David MacKinnon and Dalton Ruch each drove in two runs for the Hawks, the fifth time MacKinnon and third time for Ruch that they have driven in multiple RBI.

TWEETABLES (140 characters or less)

·       Junior pitcher Kyle Gauthier tied his career-high with eight strikeouts, earning his sixth career victory in the season opener.

·       Redshirt senior Ryan Lukach was one of four players who finished with a game-high two hits as she drove in three of the Hawks 12 runs.

·       A pair of freshman were among the leading hitters, third baseman TJ Ward and leftfielder Nick Campana.

·       The season opening victory for the Hawks is the first under fourth year head coach Justin Blood and the first since 2010.

UP NEXT
The Hawks continue the Duke Tournament with one additional game on Saturday when they take on the host Blue Devils with first pitch set for 3 p.m.