Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

NEWARK, Del. - Behind a strong pitching performance and an advantageous offense, the University of Delaware baseball team won its fourth straight game after topping intrastate rival Wilmington University, 6-3, at Bob Hannah Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

Pat Dameron (at right) posted two hits and knocked in a pair of runs for Delaware (10-6), while Ryan Reed scored twice. The pitching staff also had a strong afternoon as five Hens combined to strike out eight and allow only two earned runs during the game.

Although the team went without a home run for the first time at home all season, Delaware took advantage of two errors by Wilmington (8-7) to pick up the victory.

In the second, the Blue Hens broke through after capitalizing on an early error by the Wilmington third baseman. Following the miscue, Reed slammed a double to left center that plated Bill Merkler. Two batters later, Dameron ripped an RBI double to right center that gave the team a 2-0 lead.

The very next inning, Delaware once again took advantage of an error after confusion in the Wilmington infield helped a routine pop fly find open space. Following the error, Jared Olson poked a single through the right side before Reed loaded the bases with a walk. Scott Shockley followed with a two-run single to right that gave the team a four-run lead. After a wild pitch chased in Reed, Dameron capped the scoring with an RBI single that gave the Hens a 6-0 lead.

With the bats doing their normal damage, the Blue Hens flashed some leather in the fourth. Carlos Alonso, the team’s standout third baseman, started the inning with a beautiful, bare-handed, off-balance play on a dribbler down the line. Eventually, he made a perfect throw to first to cut down Matt Umba by a half step.

Later, Kyle Davis closed out the inning with an equally great play deep in the hole at short. The senior co-captain used nice range to cut off a ball destined for leftfield and eventually threw a bullet from his knees to catch Drew Anusky by a stride at second.

After being held hitless for the first five innings of play, the Wildcats came to life in the top of the sixth. The first four Wilmington batters reached base in the inning, highlighted by a run-scoring single from Anusky. Later, Phil Aviola brought in the second run with an RBI grounder before a Blue Hen error closed out the scoring and brought the visitors back within three at 6-3.

With the team’s lead cut in half, the Delaware bullpen settled in. Michael Londino helped get out of the jam in the sixth before striking out two in a spotless seventh. Corey Crispell then took over in the eighth and fired two strong innings to close out the game.

Crispell earned his first career save for his efforts, while Michael O’Keeffe (1-0) picked up his first win after piecing together two scoreless innings in relief.

Steve Messick (0-2) took the loss for Wilmington after being out-dueled by Blue Hen starter Devon Pearson. The Delaware freshman struck out three in three scoreless innings, while the Wildcats’ starter allowed six runs, but only one earned, in four innings of work.

Alonso finished the game with two hits, while Chris Nehl, Jared Olson, and Scott Shockley each added a hit and run scored for the Hens.

Delaware will return to action on Friday when the team kicks off its conference slate with a three-game series at Towson. The first game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.