Newark, NJ ? The University of Hartford baseball team split a doubleheader with the New Jersey Institute of Technology to open a three-game series with the Highlanders. The Hawks dropped the opening game by an 8-0 score, but came back to score a 4-2 win in the second game behind a complete game from Chris Greiner on the mound. Hartford stands at 13-18 overall.
In the first game, the Highlanders struck early with two runs in the first and three in the second. NJIT extended the lead with a single run in the third and two more in the fifth, while holding Hartford to just two hits.
Weston Szymanski suffered the loss for Hartford, pitching just 2.1 innings. He allowed eight hits and six runs, five of them earned. He also struck out one batter. Steve Dabroski and Bob Rogers both saw time as relief. Dabroski pitched 2.2 innings, allowing two earned runs, while walking three and striking out two. Rogers pitched the final inning, working one strike out and not giving up a hit.
Ben Sobocinski and Simon Kudernatsch recorded the only two hits for Hartford in the early game. Bobby Wyrwa pitched a complete game for NJIT, earning the victory. Wrywa worked five strike outs into his tally.
Hartford struck first in the nightcap scoring two runs in the top of the first. Both runs came after the first two batters struck out. Bill Perry worked a two out single to right and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Matt Walker followed Perry with a home run to left center. The Highlanders evened the score in the second inning after working the bases loaded with one out. Both runs were walked in, costing Hawks starter Greiner.
The Hawks regained the lead with two runs in the fifth. Adam Grap began action with a one out single to left field. Brady Stouffer hit into a fielder's choice with NJIT taking out the lead runner. Sobocinski then put runners at first and second with an infield single and a walk to Kudernatsch loaded the bases for Perry who hits a two run single to left field.
The Highlanders threatened in the final half inning, with PJ Saporito working a one out walk. Greiner forced Matt Schlitter into a double play to end the game, earning his fifth game of the season.
The Hawks will close out the three-game series against the Highlanders with a single game on Sunday. The game is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. first pitch and will be a nine inning game.
