CHARLESTON, SC -- Led by a four-hit performance from sophomore first baseman Ryan Cuneo in the Blue Hens' season opener, the University of Delaware baseball team posted a 7-2 victory over The Citadel in the first game of a doubleheader before dropping the nightcap, 12-0, at Riley Park.

In the opener, Cuneo (at right) went 4-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. With his performance, he became the first Blue Hen to notch at least four hits in the team's season opener since Matt Ardizzone went 5-for-6 against Coastal Carolina in 1997.

After the Bulldogs scored two runs off Blue Hen ace Mike McGuire in the third inning, Delaware (1-1) came storming back with three runs in the fourth to take the lead. During the frame, Alex Buchholz was hit by a pitch and Ryan Reed worked a walk before Cuneo delivered an RBI single.

Following an infield hit by Danny Overcash, sophomore transfer Josh Dean came through with a clutch two-out two-run double to left field that chased in Cuneo and Reed.

Up one, the Blue Hens put together another three-run inning in the seventh to grab a 6-2 lead. Kyle Davis and Adam Tsakonas hit back-to-back doubles to lead off the inning. After Buchholz was hit for a second time, Reed notched an RBI groundout before Cuneo roped another run-scoring single.

Delaware padded its lead in the eighth inning after adding the final run of the game when Dean ripped a single to right center, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jon Duvall, moved to third on a passed ball, and scored on an RBI single by Tsakonas.
The Blue Hen pitching staff also had a strong performance in the first game. After surrendering two early runs, McGuire settled down and notched six strikeouts while allowing just four hits over seven strong innings of work to pick up the win. Steve Spiese and David Slovak also did well out of the bullpen as each fired a scoreless inning of relief to seal the victory.

The Citadel's Matt Crim, who gave up three runs over his five innings of work, took the loss.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Hens were hurt by the long ball as freshman pitcher Corey Crispell surrendered a solo shot to Sid Fallaw in the second and a two-run homer to Bryan Altman in the fourth which gave The Citadel (1-1) a three-run cushion.

After the Bulldogs added another run in the fourth inning, the Hens brought in Alex Dalsey out of the bullpen. Although he struck out three during his first two innings of work, the freshman reliever gave up a two-run homer to Chris Swauger in the seventh which gave The Citadel a 6-0 lead.

The Bulldogs quickly doubled their run total in the eighth inning as they put up a six-spot against Steve Ulaky. After The Citadel loaded the bases, Richard Jones and Altman worked walks to force in runs. Then, third baseman Matt Arnold followed with the biggest hit of the game, crushing a grand slam to right field.

The Delaware lineup was held in check throughout the contest, as the Bulldogs' starter Asher Wojciechowski stifled the Hens during the first six innings of the contest. Over that time, he struck out nine and allowed just two hits to pick up the win.

After coming in to relieve Wojciechowski, Raymond Copenhaver held Delaware down for the next two innings, while Matt Reifsnider finished the Hens off after putting them down in order in the ninth.

Against the three pitchers, the Blue Hens could manage only three singles, one each by Davis, Cuneo, and Dean.

The 12-run loss was the worst by Delaware since dropping a 15-3 decision against UNC Wilmington during the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament back on May 29, 2004.

On the day, Cuneo finished with a team-high five hits, while Dean chipped in with three. Davis and Tsakonas both added two to help pace the Delaware offense.

The Blue Hens will return to action tomorrow at 1 p.m. for the rubber match of the three-game series.

Game No. 1 Boxscore

Game No. 2 Boxscore