RICHMOND, VA – Senior closer David Slovak tied the University of Delaware’s all-time career saves record as the Blue Hen baseball team topped Virginia Commonwealth, 5-2, during a rematch of last year’s Colonial Athletic Association Championship game at The Diamond on Thursday night.

After shutting down the VCU lineup over the last two innings of play, Slovak (at right) recorded the 18th save of his career, tying the program record set by Scott Gellert from 1994-97.

Two days after being no-hit for the first time in school history, Delaware (22-31, 11-17 CAA) saw all of its starters record at least one hit off the VCU pitching staff. Ryan Cuneo, whose career-best 24-game hitting streak ended on Tuesday, found his grove again with a 2-for-4 performance. Chris Nehl also reached base three times, while Jared Olson knocked in two runs.

After VCU (15-30, 8-17) grabbed an early 1-0 advantage, Delaware took its first lead of the game with a short two-run rally in the sixth. Pat Dameron led off with a walk before Cuneo notched a one-out single. Nehl eventually loaded the bases after working a free pass of his own and Olson followed with a two-run double down the right field line.

The Blue Hens could not hold on to the lead for long as the Rams came back with a run in the bottom of the frame to knot the score at two. Jared Bolden started the inning with a double and moved to third on a throwing error by Mike McGuire. R.J. Schenk brought Bolden home with an RBI ground out to second.

The back-and-forth battle continued in the seventh when Delaware quickly retook its one-run lead. Following a walk to Kyle Davis and a single by Dameron, Scott Shockley laced an RBI single to right that plated the team’s third run of the game.

This time, the Hens held on to their late advantage as McGuire put the Rams down in order in the seventh before the offense padded the lead with two more runs in the eighth. Nehl opened the inning with a single, and after Todd Menchaca came in to pinch run, he swiped second for his first steal of the season. Now in scoring position, the freshman scored when Ryan Reed ripped a single to left.

Although Reed was erased on the play after trying to stretch his hit into a double, Delaware added one more run when Bill Merkler walked, moved to second on a single by Steve Ulaky, and scored when Davis drilled a double down the left field line.

With a three-run advantage, Slovak entered the ballgame and sealed the victory with two strong innings of work. The right-hander allowed only one hit and struck out four during his outing.

McGuire (6-5), making the last start of his collegiate career, bid adieu with an excellent outing. The senior tri-captain fired seven strong innings of work, striking out seven without surrendering a walk. He also scattered six hits and allowed just one earned run to pick up his sixth win of the season.

Cody Eppley (6-5) took the loss for the Rams after giving up five runs on 10 hits in seven innings on the mound.

Delaware will conclude its 2008 campaign tomorrow with a doubleheader against VCU beginning at 10 a.m.

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