Home Runs Propel Hartford Past Baseball, 13-4

AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts baseball fell behind early to Hartford, who scored seven runs in the first two innings to hand UMass a 13-4 setback at Earl Lorden Field on Tuesday afternoon. The loss leaves the Minutemen at 12-25 overall, while the Hawks move to 17-21 on the year.

Hartford began the day by scoring four runs in the top of the first. The Hakws loaded the bases with a double, a hit batter and a walk to set up a Jackson grand slam, sent over the right field fence.

The Minutemen took one of the runs back in the bottom of the first after Jon Avallone led off with a double off the left field fence and later scored on an RBI single up the middle from sophomore Ryan Lever.

Hartford expanded its lead, though, scoring another three runs in the top of the second on a three-run homer from Ashton Bardzell.

UMass cut Hartford's lead back down to three in in the third. Sophomore Alec Norton, opened up the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Avallone before scoring on an RBI single to right center by Brett Evangelista. Lever then lined a triple to left-center to plate Evangelista before eventually crossing home plate on a wild pitch, trimming the deficit to 7-4.

However, the Hawks took two of the runs back with a two-out, two-run single from Zachary Ardito in the fourth after an error extended the inning. Hartford went on to add another run in the seventh and three in the eighth.

Sophomore Casey Aubin started for UMass and took the loss (1-3) after allowing seven runs on five hits over 1.2 innings with one walk and three strikeouts. Alex Moconyi picked up the win (2-1) in relief for the Hawks, limiting the Minutemen to one hit over three scoreless innings with one walk and two strikeouts.

Avallone finished the day at the plate 2-for-3 with two doubles and a run scored, while Lever went 2-for-4, with a triple, two RBI and scored a run.

The Minutemen will be back in action this Friday, May 5, with an Atlantic 10 conference series opener at Rhode Island set for a 3 p.m. start at Bill Beck Field in Kingston, Rhode Island.

For continued coverage of UMass baseball, follow the team on Twitter @UMassBaseball and on Facebook at facebook.com/UMassBaseball.

Next Event

Team Stats

Jon Avallone

Ryan Lever

Brett Evangelista

Dylan Morris

Players Mentioned

Casey Aubin

Jon Avallone

Brett Evangelista

Ryan Lever

Alec Norton

Players Mentioned

Casey Aubin

Jon Avallone

Brett Evangelista

Ryan Lever

Alec Norton

University of Massachusets Athletics