STORRS, Conn. – The Hartford baseball team dropped its second of two midweek contests at UConn on Wednesday afternoon. With the loss, the Hawks fall to 1-14 on the season while the Huskies improve to 17-6 on the year, with the win.
UCONN 17, HARTFORD 1
UConn would take an early 10-run lead after the first inning off of seven extra base hits in the opening frame. Despite falling behind early,
Joey Acla entered the game in relief in the bottom of the first for Hartford and quieted the Huskies bats. The southpaw from Clarks Summit, Pa., would strike out three batters and hold UConn off the board in 2.1 innings of work out of the bullpen.
However, the Huskies would regain their early momentum tacking on seven runs in the bottom of the fifth to extend their lead to 17-0.
Noah Rivera would pull one back for the Hawks in the sixth, after driving home
JJ Romatzick from third with a sacrifice fly out to right field. Romatzick had reached base earlier in the inning after lacing a line drive double down the left field line. The deficit would prove too much however, as UConn earned the victory, 17-1.
INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES
- Derek Benzinger (0-2) made his first career start on the mound and picked up the loss after allowing five earned runs.
- Acla, Jake Burt, Luke Rier, Matt Rose, and Jack Colella all pitched in relief for the Hawks.
- Acla had a career outing on the mound, striking out three batters in 2.1 innings of work.
- Romatzick and Martin Chavarria recorded the lone hits for Hartford, while Rivera drove home the lone run on a sacrifice fly.
NEXT ON TAP
Hartford wraps up its eight-game road trip traveling to Baltimore, Md., for a three-game weekend series against Coppin State. First pitch of the series opening doubleheader on Saturday is set for 12 p.m.
