FT. PIERCE, Fla – Justin Hulbert earned his first career double-digit strike-out performance but the Hilbert College baseball team couldn't contain Lebanon Valley's 9th inning rally and slipped in a 2-1 loss to the Dutchman this morning. 

The Hawks played an error-less 9-inning game  but LVC timely hit in the top half of the 9th dropped the Hawks to 2-3 after five days of spring training.

LVC earned four hits through the first four innings but never got close to scoring.  The Dutchman added another hit in the 5th, but Hilbert was the first to plate a runner in the bottom half of that inning.

Taylor Haug, who took first base after getting hit by a pitch, sprinted home when Paul Wujek's single bunt turned into a throwing error by the third baseman.

Lebanon Valley turned a few more pitches into a pair of hits in both the sixth and seventh innings, but good defense by the Hawks kept the score (1-0) in Hilbert's favor.

Hulbert covered eight innings and collected 12 K's without giving up any walks. 

Andrew Cartaginese took the mound after the first batter singled to right field in the top of the 9th.  That runner was pushed to second after the second batter sac-bunted back to Cartaginese.  The following batter walked and both those base runners advanced one bag from an un-assisted ground out to first.  And then the two-strike, two-out, two-run  single through the left side put the Dutchman ahead 2-1.

Bradley Perrin took a ball to the body but was stranded there in the bottom half to close the game.

Ryan Bonafede went 2 for 4 and Joshua Maier hit the only Hilbert double today.

The Hawks return to action tomorrow when they take-on Wilkes University at 1pm.