SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Hartford opened the 2019 season on the west coast, falling to UC Santa Barbara, 10-5, Friday evening.
 
Senior Drew Holtgrieve and sophomore John Thrasher each had two RBI, as the Hawks opened the season 0-1. Armani Smith went 2-4 with a home run, anf the Gauchos improves to 3-2 on the year. 
 
UC SANTA BARBARA 10 HARTFORD 5 
After falling behind 5-1 heading into the fourth inning, the Hartford bats came alive with two outs starting with a single from junior Nik Pagan which loaded the bases. Holtgrieve then stepped in and singled up the middle plating junior Jackson Olson and sophomore Drew DeMartino. Thrasher then singled to left-center field, bringing Pagan all the away round for the final run of the inning, making the score 5-4. 
 
The Gauchos however outscored the Hawks 5-1 the rest of the way, to take home their third win of the season, 10-5. 
 
 
NEWS AND NOTES

• Sophomore Nicholas Dombkowski (0-1) got the opening day start, pitching four and a third innings allowing six earned runs on seven hits and struck out two

• DeMartino led the Hawks with two runs scored, and joined Holtgrieve as one of two players with a double
• Junior Zachary Ardito brought around the Hawks only other run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning

 
NEXT ON TAP
Hartford remains on the west coast for game two of the three-game series against UC Santa Barbara. First pitch is 5 p.m.