BOWLING GREEN, Ky. –  The Hartford baseball team wrapped up its three-game series with Western Kentucky, dropping a doubleheader against the Hilltoppers on Saturday. The Hawks fell in game one, 11-0, before its late comeback fell short in the series finale, 3-2.

With the sweep, the Hawks fell to 0-6 on the season, while the Hilltoppers improved to 7-4 on the campaign.


GAME ONE: WESTERN KENTUCKY 11, HARTFORD 0
After a scoreless first inning, Western Kentucky jumped out to a 6-0 lead after the second. Daniel Burnett would give the Hawks a runner in scoring position in the top of the fifth, hitting a ground rule double. However, the Hilltoppers would keep the Hawks off the board. Western Kentucky would add onto its lead in the bottom of the fifth, ultimately taking home an 11-0 victory in the opening game.   

GAME TWO: WESTERN KENTUCKY 3, HARTFORD 2
Western Kentucky got off to another hot start in game two, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Hawks would look to respond in the top of the third as Kevin Koziol got on base with two outs. After Koziol stole second, Kyle Hawes drew a walk, putting runners on first and second. However, they would be left on base as the Hilltoppers maintained a slim lead. Will Nowak, who got the start in the series finale, continued to pitch a gem, preventing Western Kentucky from adding onto its lead. The senior held Western Kentucky scoreless, tossing five strikeouts through five innings. The Hawks bats would come alive in the top half of the sixth as Derek Tenney led off with a double down the left field line. After advancing to third on a ground out, Tenney would come home to score on a sacrifice fly from Daniel Burnett, leveling the score at 1-1.
 
The Hilltoppers would instantly reply, plating two runs in the bottom half of the sixth, retaking a 3-1 lead. Hartford would pull one run back late as Tremayne Cobb Jr. launched his first home run of the season over the left field fence, cutting Western Kentucky's advantage to 3-2. The Hawks continued to find the tying run in the ninth. With two outs, Joseph Woronick singled through the left side. Noah Rivera was hit by the pitch in the next at-bat, putting Hartford runners on first and second. However, Western Kentucky would go on to record the final out, winning 3-2.
 
NEWS AND NOTES

• James Judenis (0-2) got the start in game one, picking up the loss after allowing four earned runs on nine hits
• Judenis tallied one strikeout in 4.0 innings of work
• Burnett, Tenney and Cobb Jr. recorded the lone hits for the Hawks in game one
• Will Nowak (0-1) had an outstanding day on the mound in game two, allowing one run on two hits
• Nowak struck out five batters in 5.0 innings of work, picking up the no-decision
• Cohoon (0-1) earned the loss in game two, allowing two runs in 1.0 innings of relief
• Manny Corporan and Alec Couture each recorded two strikeouts out of the bullpen
• Cobb Jr. paced the Hawks at the plate in game two, going 2-of-4 with an RBI and one run scored

 
NEXT ON TAP
Hartford returns to Connecticut for a single game at in-state foe UConn on Tuesday. First pitch between the Hawks and the Huskies is set for 3:05  p.m. For more information on the Hartford baseball team, stay with HartfordHawks.com for updates and follow the team on social media (Twitter | Instagram).