NEWARK, DE -- The University of Delaware baseball team pounded out a season-high 21 hits on its way to an 18-7 rout of Delaware State University on Tuesday night at Schutte Park in Dover.

Dan Richardson (right) and Alex Buchholz each hit a home run, drove in five runs and stole a base for the Blue Hens, while Richardson and Adam Tsakonas each scored three times.

The Blue Hens (21-13) jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first two innings, highlighted by a three-run home run to left field by Buchholz in the second. The homer was Buchholz’ 15th of the season, giving him sole possession of second place on the all-time freshman list at UD.

The Hornets (12-24-2) drew to within 5-4 after four innings, but the mighty Blue Hens offense struck back with 12 runs over the next two innings. After making two quick outs to start the fifth, Ryan Jablonski, Tsakonas and Ryan Engelhardt singled back-to-back-to-back to plate the sixth Delaware run. Richardson then stepped to the plate and blasted his eight home run of the season to put the Hens up 9-4.

Delaware then added to its lead in the sixth inning, scoring six times before recording an out to put the game out of reach. The inning was highlighted by Bryan Hagerich’s 12th home run of the season and Buchholz double that brought two more Blue Hen runners home.

Chad Kerfoot allowed only one hit in 3.1 innings to earn the win for the Hens, while Justin Bittner took the loss for the Hornets and fell to 0-1.

The Blue Hens will return to action on Wednesday when they play host to Wilmington College at 3 p.m.

Boxscore