Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

CHARLESTON, S.C. -Despite grabbing an early five-run advantage, the University of Delaware baseball team could not hang on as the Blue Hens allowed six unanswered runs over the final five innings of play as The Citadel walked away with an 8-7 victory on Saturday afternoon at Riley Park.

Carlos Alonso (at right) posted a team-high three hits and scored a run for Delaware (0-2). Dating back to last season, he has now recorded a hit in 15 straight games, which equals his career high. Dave Anderson also went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a pair of runs scored.

During the contest, Delaware jumped out to an early lead as the squad plated a pair of runs in both the second and third innings. In the team’s first rally of the game, Anderson drew a two-out walk before Matt Harden was plunked by a pitch. D.J. Long followed with a long double to right field that chased home both runners.

In the third, the Blue Hens once again scored twice to extend their lead. After Alonso ripped a base hit through the right side of the infield, Hank Yates reached on a Citadel miscue. Two batters later, Pat Dameron lined a two-run double to right that spotted UD a 4-0 advantage.

Although The Citadel (2-0) started to crawl back into the game following an RBI single by Nick Orvin and a solo shot by Bryan Altman, Delaware responded with a three-run surge in the top of the fifth. Following singles by Ryan Cuneo and Josh Dean, Anderson fired a two-run double into right. Later, the team’s junior shortstop came around to score himself after a passed ball and wild pitch.

Despite staring directly at a 7-2 deficit, the Bulldogs refused to back down. An RBI single by Altman and a two-run triple by David Greene quickly pulled the hosts back within two after the bottom half of the fifth.

Unfortunately, with The Citadel mounting a comeback, Delaware’s bats fell silent. Twelve straight Hens were retired in order during the latter half of the game before Alonso finally broke the streak in the top of the ninth.

Although the Bulldogs hit a minor skid of their own at the plate, putting only one runner on base in the sixth and seventh, the squad regrouped in the eighth. Delaware reliever Matt Harden looked primed to survive a lead-off single after striking out the next two hitters. Despite Harden’s best efforts, though, The Citadel eventually loaded the bases before back-to-back singles by William Ladd and Nick Orvin brought in three runs that gave the squad its first lead of the game at 8-7.

With one final chance in the ninth, Delaware could only put one runner on base before Bulldog closer Drew Mahaffey slammed the door shut for his second save in as many days.

Chris Boyce (1-0) picked up the win for The Citadel after tossing four strong innings out of the bullpen. During his outing, the senior right-hander struck out five and allowed just one hit.

Harden (0-1) took the loss for Delaware after surrendering three unearned runs in his 1.1 innings out of the bullpen. During his stint on the mound, Blue Hen ace Brian Rorick also tossed 6.2 frames and struck out three.

Delaware will wrap up The Citadel Memorial Challenge tomorrow when the team battles East Tennessee State at 10 a.m.