Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

NEWARK, Del. - The University of Delaware baseball team capitalized on a clutch five-run rally in the bottom of the seventh to close out its Colonial Athletic Association series against Georgia State with an 8-4 victory on Sunday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium.

Chris Nehl (at right) posted a pair of doubles and Jared Olson launched a home run to lead the offense. Freshman pitcher Rich O'Donald also had another strong outing at home, limiting the Panther attack to just four runs during his eight innings on the mound.

Although Delaware (18-10, 5-4 CAA) led for most of the contest, Georgia State (19-9, 4-2) battled back and took a 4-3 lead following a two-out, three-run home run by Derek Simmons in the top of the seventh. Staring at their first deficit of the afternoon, the Blue Hens immediately responded.

In the bottom of the frame, Delaware quickly loaded the bases with no outs after Carlos Alonso and Ryan Cuneo both drew walks before Nehl was hit by a pitch. After a pitching change, Bill Merkler came through with the biggest hit of the game, poking a two-run single into shallow centerfield.

Back on top, the Blue Hens kept up the attack. Ryan Reed worked the team’s third walk of the inning before Josh Dean ripped a pinch-hit, bases-loaded single to left that brought in Nehl. Matt Greco followed with an RBI walk, and Kyle Davis rounded out the inning with a ground-out to short that chased home Reed.

Leading by four, O’Donald returned to the mound and quickly retired the side in order before handing the ball off to the bullpen. Corey Crispell took over in the ninth and closed out the game in style to clinch the 8-4 victory.

O’Donald (3-2) picked up the win and improved to 3-0 at home after striking out five in his eight innings on the mound. The freshman right-hander cruised through the Georgia State order that posted 30 runs in yesterday’s doubleheader.

Adam Knight (0-2) took the loss after surrendering two runs in relief.

Early on, the game looked promising for the Hens as the team took a 1-0 lead in the first after Alonso led off with a single, stole second, and eventually scored on a Panther error. Two innings later, the speedy lead-off hitter scored again after drawing a walk before coming around on an RBI double by Nehl.

After Georgia State cut into its deficit with a single run in the fifth, Delaware retook its two-run lead when Olson ripped a solo shot to right center in the sixth that slammed down on the road behind the outfield fence.

With the lead, O’Donald continued to dominate until hitting a minor skid in the top of the seventh. After a double play cleared the bases, the Blue Hen ace hit Michael McCree with a pitch. Although Delaware disputed the controversial call, Georgia State eventually took advantage of it after Nick Hogan singled and Simmons followed with the three-run home run.

Instead of unraveling, the Blue Hens came together in the face of the controversy and rallied from one-run down to pull out the 8-4 victory.

Alonso finished the game with three runs scored, while Pat Dameron also chipped in with two hits.

Delaware will return to action on Tuesday at 3 p.m. when the squad travels to Saint Joseph’s for the semifinals of the Liberty Bell Classic. The winner will advance to the finals at Citizens Bank Park.