WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Rodger Wilmot put together his second three-hit game of the season, and Erik Figueredo put together the first two-hit game of his career, but the Hartford baseball team was stymied by their in-state rivals from UConn, 12-2. Connecticut (16-7) was buoyed by a seven-run second inning and eight strong innings from Robert Van Woert. For the Hawks (5-13), freshman Anthony Mannuccia took the loss.

Connecticut sent seven men to the plate in the first inning, scoring three. Then in the second, Billy Ferriter's leadoff bunt was thrown away, allowing him to race all the way around to third. Connecticut would translate that opening into seven runs, only two of which were earned. Doug Elliot provided the capper with a two-out, three-run homer to right center.

After the second, the freshman Mannuccia settled down. He finished with six strikeouts and only two walks in five innings of work, allowing just the five earned runs. Mannuccia also showed to be adept at picking off the over-eager Huskies, wheeling to get Kevin Vance in the first inning and twice picking off UConn runners breaking for second too early.

Connecticut scored twice more in the sixth off reliever Brian Rice, but Hartford got on the board in the bottom of the frame. Leading off, Figueredo sent a low liner screaming back through the middle, his second hit of the day. Junior Mike Aldrich followed with a blast to the wall in right center. Figueredo advanced to third and Aldrich pulled into second with a double. Matt Walker's groundout plated Figueredo, and after Wilmot's third hit pushed Aldrich up to third, Jared Canney hit into a force play that brought Aldrich home to score.

Neither team dented the scoreboard after the Hawks' two runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Alex Bulger, who started and played the first eight innings of the game behind the plate at catcher, pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Hawks. He struck out one and allowed one hit in his second appearance on the mound this season.

Hartford has one more non-conference tune-up looming before they open up America East play on Saturday by welcoming in UMBC for a doubleheader. The Hawks will travel to Worcester on Tuesday afternoon to take on Holy Cross. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.