MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Junior second baseman Aaron Wilson drove in the game-winning and an insurance run, leading the University of Hartford baseball team to a 3-1 victory over Seton Hall to close out a three-game weekend at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Wilson, who finished 1-for-2 at the play, was one of five Hawks who combined for five total hits, matching the Pirates in the hit column. Wilson's two RBI led the team, while freshman centerfielder Sebastian DiMauro also drove in a run.

Junior right hander Sam McKay improved to 2-0 on the season, pitching a season-long eight innings on Saturday night. McKay allowed all five of the Pirates hits, while he gave up one run, earned, and struck out five batters. Red-shirt sophomore John McGinty closed out the game on the hill for the Hawks, earning the first save of the season. McGinty faced just three batters, striking out one while not giving up a hit in the ninth.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

·       Second baseman Aaron Wilson drove in a game-high two runs, one on a single in the sixth inning, his only hit, and the second sacrificing himself on a fly ball to center field. The two RBI for the junior infielder ties his career high, having knocked in two runs in three games over his career.

·       Freshman Sebastian DiMauro drove in the first run of his collegiate career, finishing 1-for-3 at the plate, with his only hit a double down the left field line.  

·       Junior started Sam McKay earned his second victory in as many starts, pitching eight innings against Seton Hall. The righty allowed the lone Pirate run, giving up five hits overall and striking out five batters. He is now tied with classmate Kyle Gauthier with 11 strikeouts, the team-high for this season.

·       Sophomore reliever John McGinty registered the Hawks first save of the season, pitching a shutout ninth inning, facing just three batters and striking out one.

·       Hartford matched the Pirates, with each team finishing with five hits apiece. All five of the Hawks hits came from different players, while two of Hartford's hits went for extra bases, doubles for both DiMauro and senior shortstop Trey Stover.

HOW THEY SCORED

·       Hartford opened the scoring in the second inning with freshman Sebastian DiMauro driving in the first RBI of his collegiate career to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Junior catcher Billy Walker opened the inning with a walk and would eventually score the game's first run. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from senior shortstop Trey Stover and used an infield groundout off the bat of freshman Ben Bengtson to take third. DiMauro then drilled a double down the left field line that allowed Walker to score easily from 90 feet away.

·       After the Pirates tied the score in the third inning, Hartford took the lead for good thanks to the first of two RBI's from junior Aaron Wilson. The inning again began with a Hartford walk, this time with Bengston working the free pass. After stealing second, the rookie wheeled home from second base as Wilson dropped his only hit of the game into right field.

·       Wilson would strike again in the eighth inning to give Hartford a two run advantage. Stover led off the bottom of the eight with the Hawks second double of the night, with his sent into right field. An infield groundout from Bengston allowed Stover to advance to third, setting Wilson up to sacrifice himself on a fly ball to centerfield with Stover tagging on the catch.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

·       Junior Aaron Wilson registered his first hit of the season, and also drove in his first runs of the year, finishing 1-of-2 against the Pirates.

·       Freshman Sebastian DiMauro drove in the first run of his collegiate career. He is the fourth freshman who has driven in at least one run in 2015.

·       Junior centerfielder Chris DelDebbio extended his hit streak to 10 straight games dating back to the 2014 season. DelDebbio is the only player who has hit safely in all six games this season as rookie Nick Campana had his five-game hit streak halted against Seton Hall.

·       Red-shirt sophomore John McGinty earned the first save of the season, pitching a shutout ninth inning to protect the Hawks two-run lead. Junior starter Sam McKay earned his second victory in as many starts, pitching eight innings, a new career-high.

TWEETABLES (140 characters or less)

·       JR infielder Aaron Wilson drove the game-winning run and an insurance run, his first RBI's of the season.

·       JR CF Chris DelDebbio has hit safely in all six games in 2015, extending his current hit streak to 10 games dating back to last season.

·       SO reliever John McGinty pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the Hawks first save of the season.

·       JR starter Sam McKay pitched a career-high eight innings, earning his second victory in as many starts in 2015.

UP NEXT
The Hawks will travel to Provo, Utah for a four-game weekend series with the BYU Cougars next weekend. The series will tip off on Friday, March 5 with a nine inning game that is scheduled for a 5 p.m. EST first pitch.