WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Hartford baseball team returned home from spring break to take on Clark University in a double-header match up, the Hawks split taking the win in the first challenge and dropping game two.

Rapid Recap Game 1 (W, 11-4):

• The Hawks struck early in the first as sophomore Nico DiGioia (Hamden, Conn.) drove in junior JJ Romatzick (Stratford, Conn.) with a sacrifice fly before senior Jackson Ciccone (Danbury, Conn.) added an RBI single to make it 2-0.
• Hartford extended the lead in the second behind an RBI double from junior Zaynn Godbee (Hartford, Conn.) and an RBI ground out from senior Ryan Knight (Peabody, Mass.) to push it to 4-0. The Hawks added another in the third, taking a 5-0 advantage.
• Clark responded with a three-run fifth to cut the deficit to 5-3, but Hartford answered right back with an RBI single from Romatzick in the bottom half.
• The Hawks broke it open in the sixth when senior Cameron Boardman (Daegu, South Korea ) delivered a two-RBI single, and added three more in the seventh, highlighted by an RBI knock from DiGioia and a sacrifice fly from junior Alex Popovich (Dudley, Mass.) to seal the 11-4 win.

On the Mound:

• Junior Anthony Bubba (Jefferson, N.J.) earned the win, tossing seven innings while allowing four runs on four hits with one walk and 10 strikeouts. Junior Sam Smith (Branford, Conn.) and senior Logan Huzi (Trumbull, Conn.) combined for two scoreless innings out of the bullpen to close it out.

At the Plate:

• Godbee led the offensive effort, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. DiGioia followed, driving in two runs while reaching base three times, Boardman also added two RBIs, including a key two-run  single in the sixth. Romatzick reached base three times, scoring twice and adding an RBI. Ciccone chipped in an RBI knock in the opening inning.

Rapid Recap Game 2 (L, 7-0):

• Clark jumped out to an early lead in the first inning with an RBI double, then added another run in the second on a sacrifice fly to take a 2-0 advantage. The Cougars added a run in the third inning to extend the lead quickly 3-0.
• Clark continued to push their lead in the fifth with an RBI double, making it now 4-0 as Hartford was unable to capitalize on early opportunities despite putting multiple runners on base.
• Hartford's best chance came in the eighth, when Romatzick doubled and Knight followed with a single to put runners on the corners, but Clark escaped the jam to keep the shutout intact. 
• Clark shut down this game in the top of the eighth, plating three runs on a series of tw–out hits to extend the lead to 7-0.
• The Hawks were unable to generate a rally as Clark secured the split.

On the Mound:

• Senior Joe Dooley (West Hartford, Conn.) took the loss, allowing three runs on six hits over three innings with three strikeouts. Junior Julian Rondon (West Nyack, N.Y.) added 1.2 innings allowing one run, while sophomore Michael Greco (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) and senior Michael Featherstone (Ramsey, N.J.) combined for 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Junior Sean Stanley ( Teaneck, N.J.) allowed three runs in 1.2 innings in relief.

At the Plate:

• Sophomore Sean Newman (Morris Plains, N.J.) and senior Josh Kaplan (Suffern, N.Y.) led the Hawks with two hits a piece. Romatzick and Kaplan both recorded doubles as Hartford totaled eight hits in the game but were unable to push a run across. 

Up Next:
The Hawks will compete again this Tuesday, March 24th against Western New England University on the road with a start time of 3:30 P.M.

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