WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Despite three hits from rookie infielder Bryan Birkl (Farmingdale, N.Y.), the Western Connecticut State University baseball team was edged at the University of Saint Joseph in a non-conference matchup on Friday afternoon at USJ Baseball Field.

The hosts racked up a trio of runs in the first pair of innings to hold a commanding 3-0 advantage. However, the Wolves chipped away at the lead. Rookie outfielder Jayson Hannah (Staten Island, N.Y.) knocked on an RBI grounder, scoring classmate Luke Dawson (Stratford, Conn.), who led off the frame with a double to left center.

Shortly thereafter, junior Nicholas Moeller (Mahopac, N.Y.) led off the sixth with a double shot down the right field line. He would come around to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of sophomore Robert Garcia (Farmingville, N.Y.), cutting the gap to 3-2. But the Wolves were not able to muster any further momentum as the hosts escaped with the victory. 

With the loss, WestConn dropped to 3-10 overall while the Bluejays improved to 9-11-1. The Wolves return to action tomorrow for a doubleheader against Keene State in West Hartford.