STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Junior centerfielder Chris DelDebbio continued his hot hitting against the Seawolves, finishing 3-of-6 at the plate while driving in five runs for the second time this season, leading the University of Hartford baseball team to a 12-10 win over the Stony Brook Seawolves on Sunday afternoon. The win secures the Hawks second series victory in league play, improving to 8-11 in the America East and 17-26 overall.

As a team, Hartford combined for 15 hits, tying the season best for the team, originally set against the Maine Black Bears on March 21. DelDebbio's three hits was one of two Hawks to lead the way in that column, joined by senior shortstop Trey Stover, who also finished 3-of-6. Overall, eight of Hartford nine batters finished with at least one hit, while five concluded the day with a multi-hit outing.

Included in the Hawks 15 hits were four for extra bases, two each from Stover and DelDebbio. Both of Stover's extra base hits were doubles, while DelDebbio finished with a double and his fifth home run of the season, second most on the team. The second home run of the series for DelDebbio came in the eighth inning as he drilled his first career grand slam down the left field line.

Joining DelDebbio in leading the way in the RBI column was junior catcher Joe Roberti who knocked in a career-high three runs, just the second multiple-RBI game of the season and the third of his career. DelDebbio and Roberti were joined by sophomore David MacKinnon and freshman Ben Bengston in driving in runs, both which finished with one RBI.  

On the hill, Hartford relied on five hurlers to finish complete the victory with senior left hander Austin Barnes earning his second victory of the season, both of which have come in conference play. Barnes pitched a pair of inning in relief, allowing one earned run on one hits and two walks. Freshman reliever Jake Regula closed out the game for Hartford pitching the ninth inning and holding the scoreless in that frame to earn his first collegiate save.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

·       Junior centerfielder Chris DelDebbio's second home run of the series was the outfielder's first career grand slam as he sparked a nine run rally over the final two innings which led the Hawks to a 12-10 series finale victory over the Stony Brook Seawolves.

·       DelDebbio finished the game with three hits in six at bats, while tying his career high with five RBI, the only Hawk to drive in four or more in a game this season. The home run for DelDebbio was his fifth of the season, which is second most on the team. For the series, DelDebbio collected seven total hits in 15 at bats for a .467 average, while driving in seven runs. Overall, three of DelDebbio's seven hits went for extra bases as he finished the weekend with a .933 slugging percentage with 14 total bases.

·       The series victory for Hartford was just the second of the season in conference play as Hartford improves to 8-11 in league action with just one conference series remaining.

·       Senior shortstop Trey Stover finished in a draw with DelDebbio in leading the team with three hits apiece. Included in Stover's three hits were a pair of two-base knocks as his three hits tied his season best achieved for the third time this season.

·       Senior lefthander Austin Barnes earned his second decision of the season, both of which have been wins. Barnes pitched a pair of innings in relief, allowing one run on one hits and two walks.

·       Freshman reliever Jake Regula closed out the game earning his first collegiate save. Regula pitched a scoreless ninth inning, the only Hartford pitcher to finish the series without allowing a run against the Seawolves.

HOW THEY SCORED

·       Hartford opened up its scoring in the second inning after senior outfielder Ryan Lukach opened up the frame with a bunt single down the left field line. After stealing second, Lukach advanced to third on a single to center from freshman designated hitter Erik Ostberg. Lukach then scored on a Stony Brook miscue, a wild pitch from the Seawolves starter Ryley MacEachren.

·       The Hawks wouldn't add to their tally until the fifth inning when they took advantage of a leadoff walk issued to junior second baseman Aaron Wilson. On the next at bat, Wilson advanced to bases thanks to the first of two doubles from senior shortstop Trey Stover, which left two runners in scoring position. He then scored thanks to a sacrifice fly to left center off the bat of sophomore David MacKinnon.

·       Back-to-back doubles in the seventh led to another run for Hartford. Both singles came with one out in the frame as Stover began the mini-rally with his second two-bagger down the left field line. Junior Chris DelDebbio followed that with his second hit of the game, a double to right center that drove in his first run of the afternoon.

·       Trailing 9-3 heading into the eighth inning, the Hawks began a nine run rally with five runs in the eighth inning. Three of the first four batters of the inning all reached on free passes, a walk and two hit batters. The second batter to be hit by the Seawolves bullpen was junior catcher Joe Roberti who secured his first of three RBI. Roberti would then be one of three Hawks who all scored thanks to one swing of the bat from DelDebbio who launched his fifth home run over the fence down the left field line for his first career grand slam.

·       The Hawks completed the come-from-behind victory with four hits and a pair of sacrifices in the first six batters of the ninth inning. Lukach and freshman Nick Campana led off the frame with back-to-back singles, while Ostberg followed with a fielder's choice bunt from freshman Ben Bengston allowing Lukach to score the first of four runs in the inning. A single through the right side from Roberti and an error against the right fielder cleared the bases with two runs batted in credited to Roberti allowed the Hawks to erase the deficit and take a two-run lead.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

·       Overall, the Hawks have finished with double digit hits for the 15th time this season, tying their season high with 15 hits in the series finale against Stony Brook.

·       The grand slam for junior centerfielder Chris DelDebbio was his fifth home run of the season, second most on the team. He also drove in a career-high five runs for the second time this season and is the only Hawk to drive in more than three runs in a game.

·       The three RBI for junior catcher Joe Roberti sets a career-high for the backstop. Overall, Roberti has driven in more than one run in three games.

·       Both of the wins for junior reliever Austin Barnes have come in conference play as he is currently 2-0 when closing out the game with the decision.

·       The save for freshman Jake Regula is the first of his career and the seventh overall for the season for Hartford.

TWEETABLES (140 characters or less)

·       Junior Chris DelDebbio drove his second HR of the series against Stony Brook down the left field line for his first career grand slam.

·       Chris DelDebbio drove in a career-high five runs for the second time this season.

·       Junior catcher Joe Roberti also drove in a career high in runs as he knocked in three, including the game-tying and game-winning runs.

·       Senior shortstop Trey Stover tied his season-high of three hits, two of which were doubles.

·       Freshman pitcher Jake Regula earned his first collegiate save when he pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

UP NEXT
Hartford will play a single midweek tune-up before a three-game non-league weekend series at Boston College. The lone midweek game comes on Tuesday afternoon when the Hawks host Northeastern for a matinee game. Hartford and Northeastern are scheduled for a 12 p.m. first pitch.