Photos Courtesy of Chris Mlynarczyk

Boxscore

NEWARK, Del. - Carlos Alonso set a new program record for the longest hitting streak as he helped lead the University of Delaware baseball team to a four-game sweep over Fairleigh Dickinson, 10-6, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium.

With a third-inning single, Alonso (top right) extended his record streak to 29 consecutive games dating back to last season. That roll tops the previous Delaware mark set by George Gross from 1976-77 and equaled by Mike Gomez in 1991. It also stands as the longest active streak in the nation.

Five other Hens posted multiple hits during the game, highlighted by a 3-for-3 performance from Hank Yates (middle right). Fellow first-year standout D.J. Long also had two hits and three RBI to pace Delaware (9-7).

The victory marked the 500th for Jim Sherman in his illustrious career as a college head coach. Along with his 282 wins at Delaware, he also compiled a record of 218-128 during a seven-year stint at nearby Wilmington College.

After a scoreless first two innings, Fairleigh Dickinson (1-11) opened the scoring in the third. Scott Morrison kicked off the rally with a single before Mike Eliasen laid down a bunt to move him into scoring position. Following a walk to Matt Holsman, Stephen LaForge knocked in the first run with a double to left center before Brian Dillon chased in another with a sacrifice fly to right.

Delaware pieced together a minor rally in the bottom of the frame but came away empty-handed. D.J. Long lined a leadoff single back up the middle before Alonso posted his record-breaking hit with a clean shot through the left side of the infield. Unfortunately, the Knights flipped a 5-4-3 double play before FDU starter Matt Cadigan made a nice grab on a liner back to the mound to end the inning.

After avoiding a scare, Fairleigh Dickinson tacked another run on the board when Eric Anderson led off the fourth with a solo shot to right.

Trailing by three, UD finally circled the bases in the fourth. Three straight singles by Josh Dean, Hank Yates, and Steve Ulaky loaded the bases with one out. Although Cadigan caught the next batter looking, Long came through with a clutch two-out, two-run single to left that pulled Delaware within one at 3-2.

With the Hens clawing their way back into the game, the Knights responded in the top of the sixth. Dillon led off the rally with a double to left before scoring on a single and an error. Two batters later, Joe Martino capped the frame with a two-run shot to left that gave the visitors a 6-2 advantage.

Staring at a four-run hole, the Hens quickly cut their deficit in half during the bottom of the sixth. After Yates worked a leadoff walk, Ulaky ripped an RBI double down the rightfield line. Following a wild pitch, Ulaky came home on a deep sacrifice fly by Long.

Back within striking distance, Delaware finally overtook Fairleigh Dickinson with a three-run surge in the seventh. Cuneo worked a walk to start the rally before a double by Dameron put two runners in scoring position. Following an RBI groundout by Dean and an FDU error that brought in the first two runs, Aaron Mascoe laced an RBI single to left that gave the Hens a 7-6 edge.

With the squad’s first lead of the day, Delaware never looked back. In the eighth, Cuneo pounded a two-run blast to right and Yates punched an RBI single to center to give the Hens a 10-6 lead.

While the UD lineup completed the comeback, Michael Londino (bottom right) kept the Knight offense off the board. After taking over for Brian Rorick in the sixth, he allowed just one hit and struck out three over 3.2 innings of work. For his efforts, he earned his second victory of the week.

Spencer Kelly (0-2) took the loss for Fairleigh Dickinson after surrendering two earned runs in two innings of work.

The Blue Hens will return to action on Tuesday when the squad hosts intrastate rival Wilmington University at 3 p.m.