UMBC

Sophomore Max Himmelstein

WEST HARTFORD, Ct.—The UMBC baseball team split a doubleheader at Hartford Sunday, losing the first game 10-2, before taking the second, 5-4, to take three-out-of-four from the Hawks in the opening America East series for both teams this season.

The Retrievers (7-17, 3-1 America East) used a four-run fifth inning to propel them to a 5-4 victory after the Hawks (6-17, 1-3 AEC) jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the first.

In the decisive fifth, UMBC used RBI singles from junior Rick Phillips (Gaithersburg, Md./Gaithersburg) and sophomore Brian Klukowicz (Clifton, N.J./St. Peter's Prep), a RBI fielder’s choice by sophomore Max Himmelstein (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) and a RBI walk with the bases loaded by sophomore Curtis Schickner (East Windsor, N.J./Lawrenceville Prep) to come back and take the lead.

The Hawks chased UMBC freshman starter J.R. Seader (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) after only two-thirds of a innings and four runs allowed. Sophomore Sean Swetnam (Greenbelt, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt/George Mason) (2-2) got the final out of the inning and earned with win, allowing just two hits in 5.2 innings of work. Senior Ed Bach (Columbia, Md./Atholton) earned his first save, allowing one hit in the final 2.2 innings.

Hartford starter Anthony Mannuccia (0-5) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) in 4.1 innings of action.

In the first game, Hartford used two-run innings in the first and second and a five-run sixth to go and win 10-2.

UMBC senior starter Kevin Clark (Alexandria, Va./Hayfield/Catonsville C.C.) (0-2) took the loss, striking out in four in four innings of work, allowing four runs (three earned). Hartford’s Mike Thatcher (3-0) pitched a complete game, allowing one earned run to earn the win.

The Retrievers return to action at home for the first time in 37 days when they play host to Maryland on Wednesday at 6 p.m.