NEWARK, DE -- The La Salle University baseball team used 15 strikeouts from its pitchers on its way to a 7-2 victory over the University of Delaware in the second round of the Liberty Bell Classic on Wednesday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium. La Salle advances to the Liberty Bell championship game to be played next Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

La Salle starting pitcher Dan Waters struck out 10 of the first 13 Blue Hen hitters on his way to allowing one run and striking out 11 in six innings of work. Brandon Menchaca had two of Delaware’s six hits and scored both runs.

La Salle led 2-0 heading into the fifth inning when it was able to load the bases with one out against Delaware reliever Rob Bergman. George Hudock stepped to the plate and earned an RBI the hard way, taking first base after being hit by a pitch to give the Explorers (10-17) a 3-0 lead. John Rickards followed with a single to left field to put La Salle up 4-0, knocking Bergman from the game. Steve Miklas came on for the Blue Hens in a bases loaded, one out jam, and was able to escape with only one more run scoring on a sacrifice fly by John Vincent.

The Hens (13-12) answered with one run in the fifth and one in the seventh, but would get no closer as La Salle scored twice in the top of the eighth to provide the final margin.

Waters picked up the win to even his record at 3-3, while Evan Bowen took the loss for Delaware, falling to 0-1.

The Blue Hens return to action on Friday when they host George Mason for the first game of a three game series at Bob Hannah Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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