NEWARK, DE -- The University of Delaware baseball team continued its hot hitting ways in a 20-13 non-league win over La Salle University on Tuesday afternoon.

The Blue Hens (25-14) won for the 10th time in the last 11 games, and have averaged more than 14 runs a game over that span. Centerfielder Brandon Menchaca collected two home runs, two doubles, two stolen bases and scored six runs for the Hens, while freshman Alex Buchholz hit his 18th home run of the season and struck out five in five innings of work to earn his second win of the season.

La Salle (14-25) took an early lead on the Blue Hens. With one on and one out in the first inning, designated hitter Rich Prall hit a home run to deep right field to put the Explorers up 2-0. Prall was followed by a solo home run by George Hudock that gave the Explorers a 3-0 lead.

The Hens didn’t score in the first but batted around in the second, third and fourth innings to build up a 13-4 lead. Ryan Engelhardt twice greeted new La Salle pitchers with hits, first singling off Brandon Geib in the fourth inning to put the Hens up 6-1, and an inning later rocketed Brian Kern’s first pitch over the wall in left for his first grand slam as a Blue Hen. The slam gave the Hens a 13-4 lead that La Salle was not able to overcome. Along the way, CAA Player of the Week Dan Richardson was hit by a pitch three times in the first four innings, establishing a new Delaware single-season record by being hit by 13 pitches.

The wind was blowing out at Bob Hannah Stadium, and both the Hens, who lead the nation in home runs per game, and the Explorers, who had only 17 home runs as a team coming into the game, took full advantage. The teams combined to hit 10 home runs, with Delaware holding a 6-4 advantage. Prall hit two for the Explorers, who had defeated Delaware twice in meetings earlier this season.

The Blue Hens return to action on Friday when they travel to William & Mary for the first game of a three-game set. First pitch from Williamsburg is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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