Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

TOWSON, Md. - Despite jumping out to an early six-run lead, the University of Delaware baseball team saw its advantage evaporate as Towson fought back to pull out the 8-6 victory during a Colonial Athletic Association showdown on Sunday afternoon at Schuerholz Park.

Chris Nehl (at right) hit a grand slam to cap a six-run second inning for Delaware (12-7, 2-1 CAA), but the Tigers responded with eight unanswered runs to avoid the sweep and snap the Blue Hens’ six-game winning streak.

In the early going, Delaware looked primed for the sweep as the squad jumped out during its second trip to the plate. Bill Merkler led off the inning with a single and moved to third on a double by Danny Overcash, who was making his first start of the season for the Blue Hens. Pat Dameron followed with another double that plated the first two runs of the game.

With Dameron still on second, Carlos Alonso and Ryan Cuneo worked back-to-back walks to load the bases with two outs. Nehl followed with his second home run of the season, launching a grand slam to left center. It marked the team’s fifth slam of the year.

After that point, Towson (12-10, 1-2) slowly started to chip away at their six-run deficit. In the bottom of the second, Chris Wychock put the team on the board after driving in Jason Stifler with a sacrifice fly.

The next inning, Towson continued to whittle away at the lead. The hosts loaded the bases with no outs, and although Delaware avoided a big inning, the Tigers plated two runs on an RBI groundout by Steve Yarsinsky and a sacrifice fly from Stifler.

With Delaware’s lead cut in half, the Blue Hen offense was held in check by Towson starter Zach Umberger. Following the six-run setback in the second, the junior right-hander put Delaware down in order during four of the next five innings.

As the Blue Hens lost their stride, Towson continued to rally. In the fifth, Stifler notched a two-run single to right that pulled the Tigers within one at 6-5. Two innings later, the team capped its comeback with a three-run rally in the seventh. After another RBI by Stifler knotted the game at six, Wychock and Austin Harclerode drove in runs to give the squad a two-run edge.

Although Delaware put a runner on in the eighth and had two reach in the ninth, Josh Squatrito closed out the game and picked up his fourth save of the season.

Umberger (2-0) earned the win after working 8.1 innings on the mound, while Rich O’Donald (1-2) took the loss after allowing seven runs on 10 hits in six innings of work.

Along with Nehl, Merkler had a strong day at the plate, posting two hits for Delaware. Stifler led Towson with two hits and four RBI, while Wychock knocked in a pair as well.

Delaware will return to action on Wednesday at 3 p.m. when the Blue Hens host Saint Joseph’s at Bob Hannah Stadium.