NEWARK, DE -- Sophomore infielder Alex Buchholz (right) went 5-5 with two home runs and six RBI and Brandon Menchaca had four hits in leading the University of Delaware baseball team to a 15-6 non-conference victory over Wilmington College on Wednesday afternoon.

The Hens scored five runs in both the fifth and sixth innnings to blow open a competitive game. Buchholz' five hits tied a career-high and extended his hitting streak to 17 games.

Delaware (2-9) took the lead in the bottom half of the first. Ryan Jablonski reached on an error and then Menchaca singled through the left side. Buchholz followed with his second home run in as many days to give the Hens a 3-0 lead.

Wilmington College (4-4) fought back and took the lead in the top of the third inning. With one out, the Wildcats recorded five straight hits to take a 4-3 lead. After the second out, third baseman Mike Wilson homered to centerfield with one on to put Wilmington up 6-3.

Delaware regained the lead the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Menchaca led off with a triple and then Buchholz doubled down the leftfield line. The Hens loaded the bases with two outs when Danny Overcash notched his first collegiate hit with a bases-clearing double to deep centerfield. Overcash came around to score the fifth Delaware run of the inning on a single by Kyle Davis, and the Hens had an 8-6 lead.

Wilmington threatened in the top of the sixth, getting their first two runners on base against Blue Hen reliever Miklas. Miklas then struckout the next two hitters and got an infield popup to retire the side. Delaware added five more runs in the bottom of the sixth, highlighted by Buchholz’ second home run of the day, a mammoth two-run blast to leftfield.

The Blue Hens bullpen combination of Miklas, Todd Ozog and Steve Spiese allowed only two hits in four innings of scoreless relief.

Brad Miller struck out five in five innings to earn his first win, while Kenny McGrady took the loss for the Wildcats.

The Hens return to action this weekend with a non-conference series against Sacred Heart. Saturday will feature a doubleheader followed by a single game on Sunday. Both games will start at 12 noon at Bob Hannah Stadium.

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