NEWARK, DE -- The University of Delaware baseball team pounded out season-highs of 19 runs and 20 hits on its way to completing a three-game sweep of the University of Vermont, 19-12, on Sunday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium.

Centerfielder Brandon Menchaca collected four hits, two RBI, two stolen bases and scored four times to help the Delaware cause and freshman catcher Bill Merkler (right) homered in the third inning to give the Hens a lead they would not relinquish.

Delaware (6-1) fell behind 5-0 early. Vermont second baseman Bryan Rembisz homered with one on and one out in the first to give the Catamounts the lead. Vermont then added three more runs in the second inning on a three-run home run by centerfielder Will Huntington. However, after Huntington’s home run, Delaware starter Todd Ozog did not allow another runner past second base, and struck out six in six innings to earn his second win of the season.

Trailing 5-1, the Blue Hens broke through for seven runs in the bottom of the third inning. The Hens used seven hits, including three extra-base hits and stole two bases while bringing 12 batters to the plate. The big blow came when Merkler stepped to the plate with two men on and three runs in already. Merkler crushed a Brandon Miles pitch over the centerfield wall to turn a 5-4 deficit into a 7-5 lead.

Two innings later, the Blue Hens plated four runs, with the big blow a two-run home run to right field by Todd Davison. Davison went 3-4 with 2 RBI and scored two runs on the day and has hit safely in all seven games.

The Blue Hens took a 13-5 lead into the top of the seventh when Vermont (0-3) took a turn putting up a big inning. The Catamounts took advantage of two walks, a hit batsmen, two Delaware errors and a wild pitch in piecing together seven runs in the inning on only four hits.

With their lead shaved to a single run, Delaware responded in the bottom of the seventh. Doubles by Menchaca, Dan Kozek and Ryan Jablonski pushed across four runs to restore the Hens to a comfortable lead. Menchaca had four hits, two RBI and scored four times to cap an outstanding weekend that saw him homer, collect eight hits, steal five bases, drive in four runs and score eight times. Every player in the starting lineup had a hit for the Blue Hens on Sunday.

Vermont threatened again in the top of the eighth, but were unable to score after loading the bases with only one out. The Hens then scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to provide the final margin. Ozog earned the win for the Hens, while Miles took the loss for Vermont. Billy Harris worked the final three innings to earn his first save of the season the old fashioned way.

The Blue Hens will return to action on Wednesday when they host Rider. First pitch from Newark is set for 2:30 p.m.

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