WEST HARTFORD, CONN. - The Hawks hosted the Golden Bears of Western New England in a Conference of New England (CNE) match up. The Hawks would take home the victory 9-5 through eight and a half innings. 

Rapid Recap: 

• Both teams would come out to a hot start as in the top of the inning WNE would slate two runs off two hits. However, Hartford would come back in a big way as senior Jackson Ciccone (Danbury, Conn.) would line a ground ball off the pitcher causing an error and scoring the Hawks' first run of the day. In the next at bat junior Alek Popovich (Dudley, Mass.) would line a base hit through the right side which would score graduate student Ryan Knight (Peabody, Mass.) to even things out at two a piece. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, junior Cameron Boardman (Daegu, South Korea) would bring in all runners on a grand slam for his first home run of the season.
• The offensive prowess would continue to show, as in the top of the second inning the Golden Bears would tack on another run with a ground ball up the middle of the infield. And in response Hartford would add two to their total as junior Zayn Godbee (Hartford, Conn.) would double down the right field line to bring in Popovich and senior Patrick Joseph (Pomona, N.Y.) giving the Hawks a 8-3 lead.
• Western New England would strike again in the top of the fourth inning with a solo home run, after a quiet third inning from both teams. 
• The next few innings would see no scoring from either teams, until the top of the seventh where Western New England would drive in a run to make it 8-5. But, the Hawks would again add to their score as senior Jeremy Mangiamelli (Middlefield, Conn.) would launch a solo home run deep into left field, his first of the year, and the Hawks lead would expand 9-5.

• Ciccone would finish the day going three for five with three singles.
• Junior J.J. Romatzick (Stratford, Conn.) would finish the day going two for two, with a single and a double, as well as notching his 100th career hit. 
• Popovich would go 2-5 in the game, with an RBI and two singles. 
• Hawks would finish with 14 hits on the day, with five extra base hits. 

• Sophomore Jeffrey Blake (Hopewell, N.J.) got the start for the Hawks going two thirds of an inning before getting in a bases loaded jam in the first. Blake would give up two runs on two hits, throwing 34 pitches with a walk and two strikeouts.
• Sophomore Justin Gouin (North Haven, Conn.) would come in for relief in the first inning, going three and a third innings, giving up two runs on three hits, with three strikeouts and no walks. 
• Sophomore Michael Greco (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) would come in and see two innings of work, giving up no runs on one hit. With four strikeouts. 
• Senior Sam Smith (Branford, Conn.) would go two innings, giving up one run on two hits, and dealing two strikeouts.  
• Senior Michael Featherstone (Ramsey, N.J.) came into the final inning and threw 12 pitches. 

Post Game Press: 
When asked how it felt to send the ball over the fence this afternoon, junior Cameron Boardman (Daegu, South Korea) had this to say, "it was really nice, it feels like I have been going through a little slump, so just simplifying my approach and finding out what works best for me. Of course, Pat (senior Patrick Joseph (Pomona, N.Y.)) had a great AB right before that allowed me to see those great pitches, so I have to credit this to my teammates too."

Up Next:
The Hawks will play Weselyan University at Fiondella field for a 3PM start on Wednesday, March 25th.

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