VERO BEACH, Fl. – The Hilbert College baseball team split their double header this afternoon against Bridgewater State and improved to 2-1 while down in Florida for spring training. 

The Hawks traded leads back and forth in the 11 am game but eventually Bridgewater State prevailed 10-7.  Hilbert rebounded in the afternoon contest and defeated the Bears 9-5.

After falling behind 2-0 early in the nightcap, Ryan Bonafede knotted the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third with his 2 RBI single.  The Hawks took the lead for good with four runs in the fourth and finished the charge with three more runs in the fifth.  Bridgewater added single runs in the 4th, 5th and 6th, but were shutout in 7th giving Hilbert the win, 9-5.

Bonafede went 2 for 3 with a double and 4 RBIs.  Kevin Moore went 3 for 4, scored two runs and closed the game on the mound in the 7th.

Freshman Henry Bowers earned his first win after he tossed five innings, struck out one and finished with no walks. 

In the morning game, Bridgewater posted single runs in the first five innings, collecting five in the 5th and built a 10-2 lead.

The Hawks rallied in the sixth with four runs and after holding the Bears in the bottom half but came up short in the 7th falling 10-7.

Dalton Reynolds, Izaiah Diaz and Taylor Haug (2RBI) each singled in the sixth in that stretch.

Bonafede (2 for 3), Wurstner (2 for 4) and Haug (2 for 4) each hit doubles while Bonafede and Eric Flores connected for triples in the opening game.

Sophomore Tristan Aldinger went four innings on the mound, struck out three and gave up six hits.

Hilbert returns to Ft. Pierce tomorrow for a single game against Monmouth College at 12 noon.