the Informer

Adam Manison

As of Tuesday’s loss the Hartford baseball team needed more offense, but on Wednesday they needed a new head coach, too.

With 13 regular season games to go, the University of Hartford fired Jeff Calcaterra Wednesday.

“Changes have been made to the baseball program,” said Assistant Athletics Director Daniel Ruede. “Assistant Coach Jerry Shank will step in while we search for a replacement effective immediately.”

Calcaterra began his tenure as the Hartford baseball program’s 12th head coach in December of 2004 and he ended it almost seven seasons later.

In his tenure, his team never held a record eclipsing .500; his team’s best finish was a 15-32 season in 2009.

After dropping Tuesday’s game to Dartmouth by a margin of 13-1, the Hawks are currently 3-34-1 overall, with a record of 1-11 within the America East Conference.

Assuming the role of interim head coach for the Hawks at this point is a daunting task, but Shank is stepping up to the plate.

“Jerry exuded a passion for college baseball and will be a tireless worker,” said Calcaterra on hartfordhawks.com.

With thirteen games to go, 11 being conference match-ups, the baseball team has a long road and lots of work ahead of them this season.

The new-look Hartford baseball team will take on Stony Brook in a double-header on Saturday, May 7 at home.

The first pitch is scheduled to be thrown at 1 p.m. as the Hawks vie to win some games and end their 2011 season on a positive note.