Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

BALTIMORE, MD – Ryan Cuneo extended his hitting streak to 20 games and Bill Merkler knocked in four runs as the University of Delaware baseball team upended UMBC, 7-3, at The Baseball Factory Field on Tuesday night.

With his two hits, Cuneo became just the 12th Blue Hen to hit safely in 20 straight games. He is now in a four-way tie for the ninth longest streak in program history.

Merkler (at right) also had a great day, finishing with two hits and four RBI for Delaware (19-28). Chris Nehl and Jared Olson chipped in with a pair of hits as well.

Trailing 3-2 entering the top of the sixth, the Hens posted a key rally to grab the lead from UMBC (19-25). Scott Shockley led off with a double, moved to third on Cuneo's single, and scored the tying run when Nehl smacked a double to center. Following two quick outs, Merkler broke the tie with a two-run single through the left side of the infield.

Up by two, Delaware extended its lead in the seventh when Nehl came back with a run-scoring single before Steve Ulaky posted a bases-loaded RBI groundout that pushed the Hens' advantage to four at 7-3.

After the offense secured the lead, the pitching staff locked down the win. Michael Londino took over for starter Dan Richardson in the fifth and worked 3.1 excellent innings in relief. During his outing, the freshman right-hander struck out five and held the Retrievers hitless.

The Hens handed the ball to David Slovak with a runner on in the eighth. He proceeded to end the threat with two strikeouts before sending UMBC down in order in the ninth.

Londino (2-5) picked up the win for the Hens, while Travis Pearson (1-2) took the loss after surrendering three runs in his one inning of work.

Earlier in the game, Delaware held a short-lived lead after jumping out with two runs in the second. During the early action, Nehl worked a one-out walk before Jared Olson drilled a double to centerfield. With two runners in scoring position, Merkler came through with the big hit, knocking a two-run double down the left field line.

UMBC immediately struck back with three runs of its own in the bottom of the inning. Shawn Retz opened the rally after being hit by a pitch before Wink Nolan and Rich Conlon notched back-to-back RBI doubles to knot the game at two. Following a Blue Hen error that moved Conlon to third, the Retriever runner came home on a groundout by Dave Warrenfeltz.

That was the only time UMBC could light up the scoreboard, however, as Delaware notched five unanswered runs to secure the victory.

The Blue Hens will return to action tomorrow when they take on Temple at Bob Hannah Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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