Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 LINCROFT, N.J. -- Harford baseball dropped both games to Brookdale on Friday. They fell 7-5 in game one and dropped game two, 11-8.
 
Harford (21-26-1) struggled to get the bats going in game one. They managed to score five despite being no-hit through the first five frames by Brookdale lefty Michael Pepio.
 
Down 6-1 in the sixth, Craig Joseph was able to find the left-centerfield gap for the Fighting Owls first hit of the game, a two-run double to cut the Jersey Blues' lead in half. Brandon Smith would drive in another two runs in the inning following walks by Justin Malehorn and Jake Molison, cutting Brookdale's lead to just one run.
 
After Brookdale plated an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, Harford got the tying runs on base in the seventh but were unable to cash in. Gabriel Castillo led the inning off with a walk. After a fly out by Tyler Napierala, Daulton Weeks grounded into a fielder's choice but was able to advance to second as Brandon Ruetsch's bid to turn the double play resulted in an error. Rob Koski worked a walk but Cody Brittain was unable to keep it going, grounding out to short stop to end the game.
 
Ben Collincini got his first start on the mound for the Fighting Owls, yielding mixed results. He gave up six runs (four earned) on five hits, six walks and two hit batters. He struck out two batters and worked his way through the first three innings scoreless. Fatigue seemed to set in as he gave up four runs in the fourth on four hits, a walk and a hit batter as well as a wild pitch. He was his own worst enemy in the fifth as a walk and an error on a failed pickoff attempt resulted in a run. Two walks, a wild pitch, a hit batter preceded a bases loaded walk to plate the second run of the inning and ended Collincini's day.
 
Anthony Stricker gave up a run in the seventh. He pitched 1 1/3 of an inning, giving up three hits and a strikeout.
 
In game 2, Harford came back from an 8-1 deficit, scoring four in the third and three in the fourth. But Brookdale (20-13) responded immediately as Tim Carney hit a long fly ball off Stricker that bounced off the top of the wall and went over for three-run homer. The shot ended up being the game-winner for the Jersey Blues.
 
Napierala had just pulled the Fighting Owls even with his sixth round-tripper of the season, also a three run shot. He got the Harford comeback started in the third inning, lacing a line drive that took one hop over the fence in left field for a ground-rule double after Smith's leadoff walk to put runners on second and third base. Daulton Weeks pushed a bunt past the pitcher on the second base side for an RBI single scoring Smith and Koski grounded into a fielder's choice to score Napierala. After Brittain doubled to put runners on second and third again, Joseph's single drove in two runs to put the score at 8-5 in favor of Brookdale.
 
In the fourth, Molison led off with a bunt single and Smith reached on an error on his sacrifice bunt. Napierala followed with the home run which tied the game at 8 runs apiece.
 
Alex Eckenrode started the game on the mound for Harford. He struggled through two innings, giving up eight runs (three earned) on eight hits. He did not walk a batter but he threw three wild pitches.
 
Stricker replaced him, making his second appearance of the day. He pitched 2 2/3 innings, giving up four hits and a walk while striking out six batters. He took the loss as he surrendered the three-run homer to Carney in the bottom of the fourth.
 
Anthony Vattoune pitched an 1 1/3, giving up two hits and a walk with two strikeouts.
 
Harford has three days off after going 1-6 this past week. They look to end a five game skid on Tuesday when they return home to face Salem for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.