University of Hartford

NEW LONDON, Conn. - The Hartford baseball team traveled to United States Coast Guard Academy on Wednesday afternoon, ending the game with a close loss against the Coast Guard Bears (5-4).

Rapid Recap:
· Junior Zaynn Godbee (Hartford, CT) would set the tone for the game with a hit to right field. Senior John Russel (Eastchester, NY) and Ryan Knight (Peabody, MA) would go on to walk allowing Godbee to advance all the way to third. With a single to left center from senior Patrick Joseph (Pomona, NY), Godbee would come home securing the Hawks first point leaving the score 1-1. The lead would expand in the fourth inning as the Hawks would get Knight and sophomore Evin Curtiss (Simsbury, CT) home on a single up the middle from junior JJ Romatzick (Stratford, CT) and then on a forced walk on senior Jeremy Mangiameli (Middlefield, CT).

· The Hawks defense took control during the bottom of the fifth, junior Joseph Ferrucci (Wolcott, CT) would sub for sophomore Evan Gentile (Berlin, CT) allowing zero runs or hits with only one strikeout for the Coast Guard Bears. Junior Alek Popovich (Dudley, MA) would gain his 100th career hit in the sixth inning after hitting a single to the right side. The Bears would keep a close lead on the Hawks the whole game as Luke Percifield would score tying the teams 3-3 and the bottom of the 6th inning.

· In inning eight the pressure began to rise for both teams as the close match continued to happen. Sophomore Nico DiGioia (Hamden, CT) scored number four after Popovich flied a hit out to left field allowing bases to be loaded setting up Romatzick and Curtiss to advance. But the Bears would be close to follow heading into the ninth inning 4-4. · Both Romatzick and senior Jackson Ciccone (Danbury, Conn.) would carry the Hawks as leaders for runs and hits of the match. Knight would end the game 1-for-1 BB, Joseph with 1-for-3 RBI, and Popovich 1-for 4-RBI.

In the Circle:
· Sophomore Jeffery Blake (Hopewell, NJ) would start the hawks off for inning one throwing 38 pitches, facing 9 players, allowing 2 runs and 2 errors before stepping off the mound as senior Logan Huzi (Trumbull, CT). Huzi would quickly step off allowing Gentile to take the mound, throwing 30 pitches, facing 8 batters, allowing zero hits or runs for two innings.

· Ferrucci would take the mound at the bottom of the fifth and was a crucial part for keeping Hartford in the game. Ending with 3 innings played, facing 10 batters, 29 total pitches, closing with two strikeouts. Junior Sean Stanley (Teaneck, NJ) would step onto the mound for the final ninth inning, throwing 27 pitches, allowing two runs, one error, and a strikeout.
 

At the Plate:
· Popovich had a strong afternoon contributing as a game factor in the close match between the Coast Guard Bears having one RBI going 1-for-4, with three flyouts, one strikeout, and

five put outs while fielding. Romatzick contributed 4 at bats, one hit and RBI, one double play and fly out.
 

Up Next: The Hawks will take on Gordon College on May 2nd on a business trip to Wenham, MA for their last double header of the 2026 season starting at 12:00PM. 

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