Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

BROOKLINE, Mass. - Playing in the squad's first Colonial Athletic Association contest in three weeks, the University of Delaware baseball team fell just short of overcoming an early five-run deficit as the Blue Hens dropped a 5-3 decision to Northeastern on Friday afternoon at the Friedman Diamond.

Scott Shockley (at right) provided most of the offensive punch for Delaware (23-16, 8-8 CAA) as the senior co-captain recorded two hits, including a solo home run in the ninth. He also opened the scoring with an RBI double in the fourth and scored the team's second run of the day.

Despite Shockley’s late-inning heroics, the Hens were held in check for most of the game by Northeastern’s Trevor Smith. The senior right-hander, who was making his first conference start of the season, allowed just six hits and two runs over seven strong innings on the mound.

Both Smith and Delaware’s Brian Rorick kept the offenses relatively quiet in the early going before the Hens mounted the first real threat in the third.

In the inning, Delaware put its first two batters on base following back-to-back singles by Kyle Davis and Carlos Alonso. With the heart of the order looming, the team looked to be in prime position to open the scoring. Unfortunately, Smith induced a pop up to second before his infielders flipped a 4-6-3 double play to end the rally.

The very next inning, the Hens once again put runners on first and second with just one out after Chris Nehl was hit by a pitch and Steve Ulaky smacked a single to left. The end result was eerily familiar, though, as Northeastern (24-20, 9-10) turned its second double play of the game to escape unscathed.

With their defense and pitching keeping the Hens off the board, the Husky offense broke through in the middle innings. After plating a single run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Frank Pesanello, the hosts slowly pulled away with a four-run fifth.

Following an RBI single by Frank Compagnone to start the rally, Northeastern loaded the bases with one out. James Donaldson tacked on the second run of the inning after working a walk before Jeff Dunlap poked a two-run single back up the middle.

After another double play ended a minor Delaware threat in the sixth, the Hens finally broke through in the seventh. Following a one-out walk by Pat Dameron, Shockley launched a double into the left centerfield gap to open the scoring. Davis quickly continued the surge, driving an RBI single to left.

With Delaware slowly chipping away at its deficit, Northeastern brought in reliever Les Williams to close out the game. After retiring the side in order in the eighth, he surrendered a solo shot to Shockley in the ninth before finishing off the Hens for his first save of the season.

Along with Shockley, Davis also had two hits for the Hens. Carlos Alonso posted a hit as well, marking the 39th straight game that the team’s star lead-off hitter has reached base safely.

Despite taking the loss, Rorick (3-3) also had a strong day on the mound for Delaware, posting his second consecutive complete game effort. The junior right-hander struck out five over his eight innings of work.

Northeastern was led by Mike Tamsin, who went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored. Matt Miller and Frank Compagnone also had two hits to pace the Husky attack.

The two teams will continue their three-game series tomorrow at 12 noon.