the Informer

It is not often that a player leads off an inning with a ground-out, then gets caught stealing for the second out in that same inning. However, in the third inning of the Hartford Hawks’ game against Quinnipiac Tuesday, that is exactly what happened to centerfielder Rodger Wilmot. That inning, the Hawks plated eight runs to build a cushion on their way to a 10-4 victory over the Bobcats at Fiondella Field in West Hartford.

Quinnipiac’s starting pitcher George Dummar got Wilmot to ground out to short. He did not record another out. The next nine Hartford batters reached base. Seven of those batters reached base with hits, including a single by Wilmot. The Wilmot hit mercifully signaled the end of Dummar’s day. All told, he gave up eight runs, seven earned, on eight hits after recording just one out in the third inning.

The last run of the rally came on a double steal, with Cory Beahm taking home as Wilmot was gunned down at second. The offense for the Hawks produced 11 hits throughout the afternoon. Beahm, who reached base in the third inning because of catcher interference, was the only Hawk without a hit.

By contrast, the Hawks managed only 11 hits total in both games of a doubleheader against Albany Sunday. The Hawks were shut out in both of those games, losing 8-0 and 2-0.

The Hawks recovered Monday, beating the Great Danes 7-5. Tuesday’s win marked the first time the Hawks (8-20) have won back-to-back games in April, and just the third time this season.

Pitcher Chris Greiner earned the win for the Hawks, going five innings and only allowing two runs on five hits.