NEWARK, DE -- The University of Delaware baseball team split a pair of 9-8 decisions with Towson University in the conclusion of a Colonial Athletic Association series on Sunday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium.

The Hens won game one, 9-8, on a walkoff single by Scott Shockley and then battled back from a 7-2 deficit to tie game two at 8-8 before falling 9-8 in the 10th inning.

Bill Merkler (right) had three hits, two RBI and a home run in the two games for Delaware, while Bryan Hagerich continued his hot-hitting with four hits and his second home run in as many days.

In game one, which was started on Saturday but suspended due to darkness, Towson (4-7, 2-1 CAA) jumped out to a 5-2 lead after two innings. With one on and two out in the first inning, Matt Collins reached on an error and then Aaron Gabrielian’s home run put the Tigers up 3-0. The Tigers added two in the top of the second highlighted by a leadoff home run by Furmanek.

The Hens (1-7, 1-2 CAA) scored twice in the bottom of the first but were unable to score any more, leaving the bases loaded.

Towson scored single runs in the fifth and sixth to take an 7-4 lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Hens loaded the bases with one out before Zach Umberger came in from the Tiger bullpen. Umberger struck out Ryan Jablonski, but Brandon Menchaca ripped a double down the left field line that cleared the bases. Alex Buchholz followed with a double to right field that brought in Menchaca and gave the Hens an 8-7 lead.

In the top of the seventh, Towson centerfielder Kyle Skellchock led off with a walk and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Collins. The Tigers loaded the bases, but Delaware reliever David Slovak got out of the inning without giving Towson the lead.

After the game was suspended due to darkness it resumed at 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Brent Gaphardt shut down the Tigers in the top of the eighth, and the Hens loaded the bases with one out in their half when Scott Shockley drove a ball into the gap in left center that brought home Menchaca with the winning run.

Gaphardt struck out two in his one inning to get his first win, while Spencer Patton took the loss for the Tigers.

In game two, both teams scored once in the first before Towson scored three runs on only two hits in the top of the second. Towson built a 7-2 lead heading to the bottom of the fifth inning. The Hens scored one run in four straight innings including a sacrifice fly and a solo home run by Hagerich.

Trailing 8-6 in the bottom of the ninth, Cuneo led off with a single to centerfield and Merkler followed with his third hit of the game, a drive over the wall in right center that knotted the game at 8-8.

However, in the top of the 10th, Hans Falkenhan singled and came around to score on a single by Gary Helmick. Falkenhan’s run proved to be the game-winner as the Hens went down in order in their half of the tenth.

Jon Dupski earned the win for Towson, while Steve Spiese took the loss for Delaware.

The Hens return to action with a pair of home games against UMBC on Tuesday and Wilmington College on Wednesday. Both games are set for a 3 p.m. start at Bob Hannah Stadium.

Game 1 Boxscore / Game 2 Boxscore