WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Hartford Hawks faced off and took two against Gordon College in a CNE double-header Sunday afternoon. 

• Hartford got the offense going early, pushing across three runs in the bottom of the first courtesy of five walks and one hit in the frame. After Gordon pushed across one in the top of the second, Hartford would respond greatly, posting a six in the bottom of the third. This six-run inning was headlined by four doubles off the bats of Jeremy Mangiameli (Middlefield, Conn.), Tyler Shannon (Madison, N.J.), Ryan Knight (Peabody, Mass.), and JJ Romatzick (Stratford, Conn.).
• Gordon would come back to life in the top of the fifth, plating their second run, making the score 9-2. They would continue the comeback by scoring three more in the sixth on three hits. The Hawks would put to bed Gordon's rally, however, notching a run in the sixth on a Jake Santiago single (Bristol, Conn.) and two more on a home run by Patrick Joseph () in the eighth. Even with allowing a two-run top of the ninth, Hartford would prevail, taking game one by the score of 12-7

At the Plate:

• The Hawks' offense was clicking from top to bottom, but their attack was headlined by Joseph's 3-for-4, three-RBI day at the dish. Alek Popovich (Pomona, N.Y.) and Romatzick supplemented the offensive onslaught, tallying two and three hits, respectively. 

On the Mound:

• Sophomore Anthony Bubba (Jefferson, N.J.) was handed the ball in game one and he did not disappoint, going five full innings, allowing only one run on five hits with four strikeouts. In relief, the Hawks turned it over to senior Luke Rier (Miami, FL.), who registered one inning pitched, letting up three runs on three hits. Finally, sophomore Sam Smith (Branford, Conn.) picked up the elusive three-inning save, closing out game one, allowing only two runs on three hits with three punchouts. 

Rapid Recap Game 2 (W, 7-4):

• The Hawks jumped ahead in the first inning, scoring two runs as graduate student Jake Santiago (Bristol, Conn.) singled home to score junior Jackson Ciccone (Danbury, Conn.), who singled to start the inning. Santiago later came around to score on an error by the catcher trying to nab Mangiameli from stealing second. The scoring continued in the bottom of the third on back-to-back doubles by Ciccone and Popovich. Mangiameli would later sky one to center, plating Popovich on the sacrifice and making the score 4-0.
• Both teams would score a run a piece in the fifth inning via a double. First in the top half, Gordon would score their first run after a single and a double to make the score 4-1. Hartford would answer back in the bottom half, as Santiago's RBI double plated Ciccone and made the score 5-1. That is where the score would stay until the bottom of the eighth where Knight left the yard on a solo shot and Romatzick singled up the middle to plate one more. The Fighting Scots would not go quietly in the top of the ninth, plating three runs to make the score 7-4. The Hawks would hang on however, punching out the last batter and completing the sweep.

At The Plate:

• Ciccone led the way at the plate in game two for Hartford, tallying a whopping four hits, scoring three runs and driving in two more of his own. Alongside Ciccone, three other Hawks in Santiago, Mangiameli and Knight registered multi-hit games. 

On the Mound:

• Freshman Ryan Sheehy (Shelton, Conn.) took the mound in game two and threw an absolute gem for his squad, going six innings pitched and allowing only one run with 9 strikeouts. Junior captain Michael Featherstone (Ramsey, N.J.) came in after Sheehy to close out game two. Featherstone logged the last three innings pitched while allowing three runs on four hits while tallying seven strikeouts.

Post Game Press:

"My home-run felt really good," said senior Ryan Knight (Peabody, Mass.). "I just sat back and drove the pitch I was happy to get a good slider over the plate, and help out the team win today. I have been here for four years, it has been a great experience. Going from division 1 to 3 was tough, but now we are playing really well. I am extremely happy and am looking forward to the playoffs coming up."

Senior Luke Rier (Miami, Fl.) had this to share about his time at the University of Hartford on senior day, "It has been a very special experience, transferring in my freshman year the coaches were all very welcoming. I did get off to the start I wanted to open up this year but this team adn the coaches have had my back. This team trusts me to go out there they continue to keep me motivated adn that's all I can ask for. I am proud to be a Hartford Hawk.

Up Next:
The Hawks return to action this Tuesday April 29th when they host Wesleyan University for a non-conference mid week matchup.