WEST HARTFORD, CONN. - The Hawks hosted Conference of New England (CNE) opponent Johnson and Wales University for a midweek matchup. The Hawks would come out on top through eight and a half innings, as they would come out on top 7-5.

Rapid Recap:

• The Wildcats of Johnson and Wales would get the scoring going in the top of third inning, as a groundball through the right side of the infield would score two runs. The Hawks would come back in the bottom of the inning and knock in a run coming from junior Tyler Shannon (Maidson, N.J.) who would find the middle of the infield and score a run for the Hawks. 

• In the top of the fourth Johnson and Wales would knock in another run, coming from an RBI with two men on that would score one, extending the Wildcat lead back to two (3-1). 

• The Hawks would flip the script in the bottom of the fifth inning as with two men on Shannon would step up and rip a shot that would get up and over the left field wall, as Hartford would take the lead 4-3. 

• The Wildcats would come back to tie things in the bottom of the sixth inning as a two-out base hit up the middle would tie the game at four runs a piece. 

• The Hawks would regain the lead on a bloop double from senior John Russell (Eastchester, N.Y.) would bring in sophomore Nico Digioia (Hamden, Conn.) and bring the score to 5-4.

• Hartford would again notch a tally in the run column by way of an RBI single from senior Patrick Joseph (Pomona, N.Y), and later in the inning Shannon would earn another RBI on the day, with a fielder's choice ground ball that would score a run making it 7-4 through eight innings.

• The Wildcats would earn one run in the top of the inning, but it would not be enough to close the gap, as the Hawks would come out on top 7-5.

At the Plate:

• Shannon dominated the plate going 2-4 with five RBI. Digioia finished the day going one for two, going two for four, with a pair of singles, and a stolen base. Russell would deliver the Hawks only extra base hit, besides Shannon's home run, on a 1-4 day at the plate. 

• Hartford would leave seven runners on base through nine innings. 

• Hartford would end the day with nine hits as a team.

On the Mound: 

• Freshman Logan Smalley (Chatham, N.Y.) would get the start on the bump for Hartford, going 2.2 innings, giving up two runs on three hits, with a strike out and four walks. 

• Senior Sam Smith (Branford, Conn.) would come in for relief in a bases loaded jam which he would work out of. He would see 1.2 innings, giving up one run on two hits, with no strikeouts and a pair of walks.

• Senior Captain Michael Featherstone (Ramsey, N.J.) would come in following Smith, as he would go 4.2 innings, giving up two runs on four hits, with seven strikeouts, and a pair of walks. 

Post Game Press:
"I've been trying to stack the days together, I've been struggling a little bit, but today's a big step in the right direction. It's easy to play when you got guys like Mike Featherstone out on the mound. Today felt good."

Up Next:
The Hawks will take on Eastern Connecticut State University on Wednesday afternoon, for a non-conference make-up game at Fiondella Field. First pitch is slated for a 3:00PM start. 

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