WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Hartford scattered eight hits among six different players, led by sophomore Dalton Ruch and senior Trey Stover who each finished with two hits as the Hawks dropped an 8-1 decision over Marist on Tuesday afternoon at Fiondella Field. The Hawks will return to action on Wednesday as they will host the Fairfield Stags with first pitch set for 3 p.m.
Stover's two hits extended his current hit streak to eight straight games while he finished with two or more hits in each of the last two games. His eight-game hitting streak is currently second best on the team, one game behind freshman leftfielder Nick Campana who finished 1-of-4 on Tuesday to extend his team-leading streak. Ruch's two hits represent his third straight game with a hit, including five hits over the last two games.
Hawks starter, junior Brian Murphy, suffered his second loss of the season, pitching the first two innings and allowing two runs, both earned, on two hits. In his two innings of work, Murphy did not give up a walk and struck out one batter. Junior Justin Robarge was one of three pitchers out of the bullpen for Hartford, the only Hawk pitcher to hold Marist without a run. In two and two-thirds innings of work, Robarge allowed two hits, walked one batter and struck out one.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
· Senior Trey Stover and sophomore Dalton Ruch both finished with two hits among the Hawks eight total against the Red Foxes. Both Stover and Ruch followed up a three-hit outing in the last game against Maine with today's 2-for-4 performance against Marist.
· Junior relief pitcher Justin Robarge put up the most successful performance on the mound as he pitched 2.2 innings without allowing a run from the Red Foxes. Robarge faced 10 total batters and allowed two hits, walked one and struck out one. With this outing, Robarge dropped his ERA by nearly four points in what was his longest outing in four appearances this season.
· Freshman leftfielder Nick Campana was one of six total Hawks to finish with a hit, extending his team-leading hitting streak to nine straight games.
HOW THEY SCORED
· The Hawks lone run of the afternoon came in the fourth inning and without the assistance of an RBI. With one out recorded, senior shortstop Trey Stover opened up the offense with his first of two hits, a single up the middle. He would then advance two bases as Marist's first baseman allowed a routine groundball past into right field, putting runners on the corners. Hartford then executed a well-timed double steal with Ostberg leaving first and taking second while Stover took off on the throw down and beat out the tag from the Red Foxes catcher.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
· Freshman Nick Campana extended his current team-high hitting streak to nine games, finishing 1-for-4 against Marist.
· Senior shortstop Trey Stover and sophomore second baseman Dalton Ruch both followed up a three hit performance last time out with a team-high two hits today against Marist. Ruch has now gone 5-for-8 in the last two games, while Stover is 5-of-9, extending his time-high batting average to .422.
· Junior righty Justin Robarge threw a season-high 2.2 innings and did not allow a Marist run in that stretch.
· The Hawks lone run of the afternoon came on a double steal with Stover scoring and Erik Ostberg taking second. Stover is now a perfect 2-of-2 in stolen base attempts, while Ostberg has swiped three bases in four tries.
TWEETABLES (140 characters or less)
· Senior Trey Stover and sophomore Dalton Ruch each finished with a team-best two hits, added to their three-hit outing against Maine.
· Junior right hander Justin Robarge pitched a scoreless 2.2 innings of relief, the only Hawk hurler to not allow a run.
· Freshman 3B Nick Campana extended his team-high hitting streak to nine straight games with a single against Marist.
UP NEXT
Hartford returns to Fiondella Field in 24 hours when they host Fairfield in a game that was originally scheduled to take place at Fairfield. The Hawks and Stags are scheduled for a 3 p.m. first pitch from Hartford's West Hartford campus.
