NEWARK, DE -- The University of Delaware baseball team pounded out 18 runs and 25 hits in splitting a Colonial Athletic Association doubleheader with #20 Old Dominion University on Sunday afternoon in Newark. The Hens captured game one, 8-3, while a late rally fell just short as the Monarchs held on for an 11-10 victory in game two.

Alex Buchholz (right) recorded four hits, three RBI and scored two runs between the two games. He also hit his 17th home run of the season in game two, placing him two behind Kevin Mench’s freshman record of 19. The Blue Hens were able to take two of three from Old Dominion this weekend, dealing the Monarchs their first series loss of the 2006 season, as well as their first losses in consecutive games.

Game one was started by Monarch ace Jason Godin, but with several professional scouts in attendance, it was the Delaware offense that stole the show.

The Hens (24-14, 9-9 CAA) put up single runs in the first two innings against Godin, and then erupted for five in the third inning. After recording two quick outs, centerfielder Brandon Menchaca drove a 1-2 pitch from Godin high off the scoreboard in rightfield to put the Hens up 3-0. Menchaca was followed by consecutive singles from Scott Shockley, Ryan Jablonski and Adam Tsakonas, with Tsakonas’ hit plating Shockley. After a walk to Ryan Engelhardt loaded the bases, rightfielder Dan Richarson drove a Godin fastball into the right-centerfield gap, scoring all three runners as Richardson dove into third base with his second triple of the season. Richardson’s triple gave the Hens a 7-0 lead that the Monarchs (34-8, 16-4 CAA) never seriously threatened.

Godin came into the game at 8-0 and led the CAA in wins, innings, strikeouts, shutouts and complete games. However, the Blue Hens touched him up for seven earned runs and 11 hits in only six innings, dealing him his first loss. Matt Heppner started on the mound for the Blue Hens, and once again pitched a complete game, his fourth in as many starts this season in earning his team-best fifth win.

In game two the Monarch bats, which had been dormant all weekend, came back to life in scoring five runs in the first three innings off of Delaware starter Todd Ozog. The Monarchs hit four home runs in game two, propelling them to an 11-4 lead entering the top of the eighth inning.

Buchholz led off the inning with a single, and was followed by singles from Bryan Hagerich and Menchaca. After Shockley’s double down the left field line brought two runs in, Old Dominion called on closer Dana Arrowood to preserve the 11-6 Monarch lead.

However, the Blue Hens kept hitting. Bill Merkler greeted Arrowood with a double to right center that cut the ODU lead to 11-8. Ryan Jablonski’s single through the middle scored pinch runner Dan Kozek, and after another single by Tsakaonas, Richardson’s infield single scored Jablonski to cut the deficit to 11-10.

With the Monarch lead trimmed to one run and the tying and go-ahead runs on base with no one out, Arrowood settled in and struck out Todd Davison, Buchholz and Hagerich in succession to end the inning. The Hens again threatened with two base runners in the ninth, but were unable to push across the tying run. Arrowood earned his seventh save, but was touched up for five hits and two runs in the process. He also allowed both runners he inherited from starter Dan Hudson to score. Hudson earned the win for the Monarchs to move to 7-1, while Ozog took the loss for the Hens to drop to 4-3.

Before game one, the Blue Hens celebrated Davison establishing a new program record for consecutive games played, as former record holder Joe Shockley threw out a ceremonial first pitch with Davison serving as his catcher.

The Blue Hens will return to action on Tuesday when they host La Salle University at 3 p.m. at Bob Hannah Stadium.

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