Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

WILLIAMSBURG, VA -- The University of Delaware baseball team saw its three-game winning streak snapped as the Hens dropped a 6-2 decision to William & Mary during a Colonial Athletic Association battle at Plumeri Park on Saturday afternoon.

Delaware (8-15, 3-5 CAA) actually out-hit the Tribe by an 8-6 margin, but William & Mary (17-10, 8-6) capitalized on its opportunities in the middle innings to post its first victory over the Hens since 2006.

Scott Shockley (at right) led Delaware with a 3-for-3 performance, while Alex Buchholz and Ryan Cuneo each added two hits apiece to round out the attack. The remainder of the lineup combined to go just 1-for-22 with Jared Olson adding the team's only other hit on a ninth inning single.

With his 0-for-4 day, Adam Tsakonas also saw his personal-best 16-game hitting streak halted. Shockley now holds the team's longest active streak with an eight-game roll.

During the contest, Delaware grabbed an early two-run lead, but William & Mary struck back in the fourth. Entering the inning, Blue Hen starter Brad Miller had retired nine straight following a lead off single to Paul Juliano in the first. However, Juliano once again tagged the sophomore righty for another hit in his second at bat to lead off the fifth.

Miller then hit Tyler Stampone with a pitch before Tribe centerfielder Ben Guez sacrificed the two runners over. Delaware chose to intentionally walk Mike Sheridean to load the bases, but the decision backfired after Tim Park lined a two-run double to right. Greg Maliniak then capped the scoring with an RBI groundout to second which brought home Sheridan and gave William & Mary a 3-2 advantage.

The Tribe quickly pushed their lead to two in the fifth after Lanny Stanfield opened the frame with a double, stole third, and came home on a sacrifice fly by Derrick Osteen.

Delaware had its best chance to cut into its two-run deficit in the sixth after the team put two runners on base with only one out after Shockley and Pat Dameron both worked walks. However, a fielder's choice by Olson and a foul out by Cuneo ended the threat.

After failing to plate another run, the Hens saw the Tribe tack on two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth after Guez roped a lead-off double to right against reliever Joe Tebaldi. He then stole third and scored on an error by catcher Bill Merkler, who was seeing action behind the plate for the first time this season.

The Tribe then topped off the day with their sixth run after Park was hit by a pitch, advanced to second following another hit batsman, moved to third on a balk, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jeff Jones.

Delaware once again threatened in the ninth after Olson and Cuneo hit back-to-back singles, but Danny Overcash and Kyle Davis both struck out before Tsakonas ended the day with a fly out to center.

Jeremy Neustifter (1-2) picked up the win for the Tribe after allowing just one earned run in 5.1 innings of work. Pat Kantakevich also picked up his third save of the season for William & Mary after firing 3.2 innings of scoreless relief.

Miller (2-1) was handed his first loss of the season despite allowing just five hits over his seven-inning outing.

The game had looked promising for the Hens after the team took advantage of some Tribe miscues in the third to open the scoring. Cuneo started the rally with a double to right. Jon Duvall immediately laid down a bunt to move Cuneo to third, but after Neustifter mishandled the ball, the sophomore first baseman came around to score.

With Davis at that plate, Duvall moved up to third on a passed ball by Park and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly. Delaware could not stretch its lead any further, however, after Tsakonas, who reached on an error by third baseman Tyler Stampone, was thrown out attempting to go from first to third on a single by Alex Buchholz. The mistake cost the team after Merkler was hit by a pitch and Shockley beat out an infield single before Pat Dameron flew out to end the inning.

The two runs were all the offense could muster all day as the Tribe held the Hens scoreless over the last six innings of play.

Delaware will conclude its three-game series with William & Mary tomorrow at 1 p.m.

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