SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Hartford baseball fell to Bryant, 8-5, in game one of the three-game series in non-conference action Thursday afternoon.
 
Seniors Chris Sullivan went 2-3 with a walk and two RBI, as the Hawks fall to 12-17 overall. Redshirt-sophomore hit his fourth home run of the season, as the Bulldogs improve to 22-11 on the year. 
 
BRYANT 8 HARTFORD 5  
Hartford started the scoring in the top of the second, as freshman Devin Kellogg reach on an error by the shortstop. Junior Bryce Walker came to the plate with Kellogg in scoring position after stealing second, and singled. Kellogg came around to score and Walker advanced to second, giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead. 
 
Sophomore John Thrasher kept the scoring going in the inning, as he singled to right center, bringing Walker around from second. Ardito then put a cap on the second, doubling to left center, plating Thrasher and giving Hartford the 3-0 advantage.
 
After Bryant scored eight runs in the bottom of the third, the Hawks attempted to rally in the top of the sixth. With Thrasher and Walker on second and third after a wild pitch, Sullivan stepped in with two outs. He then singled to left field, scoring both Thrasher and Walker and cutting the Bulldogs' lead to three (8-5).
 
Hartford, however, would not score another run the rest of the way, as Bryant took game one 8-5.
 
NEWS AND NOTES

• Sophomore Nicholas Dombkowski (1-4) started game one, giving up seven earned runs on seven hits and striking out one
• With his two RBI on the day, Sullivan now has a team-high 29 on the season, which is third in the America East
• Thrasher and Walker went a combined 3-6 with four runs scored. Thrasher is tied for third on the team with 17 while Walker is ninth (8)

• Graduate student Jake Regula and junior Joe Grassett combined to pitch four innings in relief, allowing zero runs on two hits and striking out five

 
NEXT ON TAP
Hartford continues the three-game tilt with Bryant tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.