WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Hartford baseball team stays .500 on the season after splitting a Saturday double header against Clark University. The Hawks lost game one by a 14-8 final in 12 innings before winning game two 13-12. 
 
Rapid Recap Game 1 (L 14-8):

• The Hawks and Cougars remained scoreless after three innings as freshman Jeffrey Blake (Hopewell, N.J.) was dealing. Clark would get the first runs of the game in the fourth getting three runs on four hits to take the lead. In the sixth the lead continued to grow for the visitors as the Cougars got three more runs on three hits to push the lead to 6-0. 
• The bats woke up in the bottom of the sixth as the Hawks came all the way back plating six runs on five hits. It started with a two RBI double by junior Joshua Kaplan (Suffern, N.Y.). Junior John Russell (Eastchester, N.Y.) followed in a big way launching a deep homer to left-center to get Hartford within a run. Freshman Evin Curtiss (Simsbury, Conn.) evened the score with a sacrifice fly to bring the game even. Clark responded quickly with two more runs on a RBI double and RBI single to lead once again.
• In the bottom of the eighth the Hawks got one back as junior Ryan Knight (Peabody, Mass.) singled through the right side plating junior Patrick Joseph (Pomona, N.Y.). In the bottom of the ninth the Hawks rallied to tie the game as Russell hit a sacrifice fly to bring the score to 8-8 as we headed to extras. 
• The Cougars would break through in the top of the 12th scoring six runs on three hits and three defensive errors as Clark would hold on for the 14-8 win. 

On the Mound:

• Blake got the start going five innings of work allowing three runs on seven hits with three punch outs. Sophomore Julian Rondon (Bardonia, N.Y.) followed going 1.1 innings allowing five runs on four hits to go with two strikeouts. Freshman Ryan Sheehy (Shelton, Conn.) following tossing 3.2 innings with a pair of strikeouts. Junior Michael Featherstone (Ramsey, N.J.) picked up the loss going two innings allowing six runs with two strikeouts. 

At the Plate:

• Russell went 1-for-5 with four RBIs with the home run. Knight went 2-for-4 with a RBI. Joseph added a 2-for-4 game with two runs scored and a stolen bag. 

Rapid Recap Game 2 (W 13-12):

• Hartford started strong getting an RBI in the first inning as Knight plated freshman Nico DiGioia (Hamden, Conn.) who reached base on a triple. The Cougars bats joined in the second inning getting three runs to take the lead. Clark continued to have the momentum pushing the game to 6-1 after the top of the third inning. The Hawks would get two runs back as junior Cameron Boardman (Bradford, Vt.) doubled before coming across on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Peyton West (South Windsor, Conn.). DiGioia followed with his first collegiate blast as the visitors held the 6-3 advantage after three. 
• The Cougars got two runs back on a homer of their own in the top half of the fourth, but the Hawks rallied for four runs in the bottom of the frame. Curtiss started things off with a two RBI single. Boardman would later score on a passed ball. West added a RBI single as the lead was trimmed to just a single run. Boardman continued to climb the Hawks back into the game with a RBI single in the bottom of the fifth to knot the game at 8-8.
• Dom Mariani kept the Cougars on top with his second long ball of the game in the sixth to give Clark a 9-8 lead. The Hawks responded in the bottom of the seventh. Boardman provided the tying RBI being hit by a pitch, followed by a sacrifice fly by Curtiss to give the Hawks a 10-9 lead. West added insurance with a no-doubt three-run shot over the left field wall to give Hartford a 13-9 lead. Clark almost mounted a comeback getting three runs on three hits, but freshman Evan Gentile (Berlin, Conn.) picked up his first collegiate save for the Hawks who won 13-12. 

On the Mound:

• Sophomore Anthony Bubba (Jefferson, N.J.) struggled going four innings allowing eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits with a pair of strikeouts. Sophomore Sam Smith (Branford, Conn.) followed going two innings allowing a single run with also two punch outs. Junior Logan Huzi (Trumbull, Conn.) picked up the win going two innings giving up three runs with two strikeouts. Gentile closed things up tossing a shutout inning.

At the Plate:

• Boardman finished 3-for-3 with three runs scored, two RBIs and a double in the win. West went 2-for-4 with five RBIs including the homer. DiGioia added a 2-for-4 performance with a homer and triple in his debut. 

Post Game Press:
"Obviously I've been struggling lately, said junior Cameron Boardman (Bristol, Vt.). Beenbattling a lot of stuff and I got to thank my coaches and my teammates for all the adjustments they've helped me make. I think starting early and seeing something middle, hit it hard definitely was part of my success today. Huge shout out to Peyton West, that three-run home run really changed the momentum. And then big pitching from Huzi and Gentile really helped shut the door. The positive energy our dugout brings really carried us today."

Up Next:
The Hawks be on the road down the street at the University of Saint Joseph on Tuesday with a 3:00 PM start. 

For the latest information on Hartford Athletics follow the Hawks on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.