HARTFORD, Conn. –

In their first time playing at Dunkin Park in downtown Hartford, CT, the Coast Guard Academy Bears defeated the University of Hartford by a score of 13-7. For the Hawks, they drop to 12-13 on the year. They will next host Roger Williams on April 13th for a Sunday doubleheader, first pitch scheduled for 12:30 PM.

Bears starter Jack Spinnato(Oldsmar, FL) got CGA off on the right foot to start, striking out the side in order in the bottom of the first. Their offense would parlay that momentum into scoring the games' first run in the top of the second when Kael Godshalk(Bangor, PA) reached on an error and scored Rick Barkley(Seattle, WA) who doubled to lead off the inning and stole third to get within 90 feet of scoring.

Coast Guard would add two more in the top of the fourth, all with two outs. A Drew Basque(Kealakekua, HI) bloop single scored Wyatt Duthu(Madison, AL) who started the two out rally with a single. Basque along with left fielder Ryan Lista(San Diego, CA) who reached on his second HBP of the game would then score when Kael Godshalk ripped a gap double. Lista would get hit once more in the 6th for a total of three HBP on the day, a true Godshalkian effort.

In the bottom of the fourth, CGA slugger Nathan Stafford(Jupiter, FL); known for his bat, left his mark on defense. With runners on second and third with one out, Stafford charged a ground ball and delivered a perfect throw to Basque behind to nab the runner at the plate and keep the score at 4-1. The Hawks would score on a wild pitch to the following batter but Spinnato limited the damage in four strong innings of work. He would finish the day with six K's, no walks, and just two runs.

In the sixth inning, the Coast Guard offense broke the game open, scoring seven runs in the frame. Luke Percifield(Pinellas Park, FL), Nathan Stafford, Rick Barkley, and Drew Basque would each contribute RBI knocks in the huge inning.

Coming in relief of Spinnato on the mound and earning the victory was senior right hander Sean Rojas(San Antonio, TX) who threw two innings of one run ball. 

CGA would add another run in the 7th on a Carson Cho(Haymarket, VA) single. Cho led the Bears in hits on the day with three. In the top of the 9th, Coast Guard would put the exclamation mark on their victory. Freshman Connor Cilento(Point Pleasant, NJ) was called to pinch hit and made the most of his opportunity, sending a line drive shot into the left field bleachers for his first career collegiate home run.

In the bottom half of the inning, Aidan Andersen(Waukesha, WI) shut the door, striking out two batters to seal the Coast Guard victory.

Coast Guard improves to 14-9 with the win. They will get back to league play tomorrow, 3:30 PM at home vs WPI and will face them at home again Sunday at a time TBD.