Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Steve Ulaky accounted for all the offense the University of Delaware baseball team needed and the Blue Hen pitching staff looked sharp throughout the contest as the squad wrapped up its series against Maryland with a 4-1 victory on Sunday afternoon at Shipley Field.

Ulaky had an excellent game at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored for Delaware (2-4). His offensive efforts were backed nicely by Michael Londino, Matt Harden, and Eric Buckland, who combined to allow just four hits and one run during the game.

Early in the contest, Maryland (1-5) got on the board first after plating a run in the bottom of the second. Matt Marquis smacked a lead-off double to left before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt. One batter later, he came home after Mike Rozak grounded out to second base.

The Terrapins looked ready to extend their lead in the third after back-to-back walks and a Blue Hen error allowed the hosts to load the bases with no outs. Staring at a jam, Londino quickly worked out of the mess as the junior sent the next two hitters down swinging before inducing an inning-ending fielder’s choice.

After eight Blue Hens were retired in a row, Ulaky ended the skid with a ringing double down the right field line before Josh Dean was hit by a pitch to start the squad’s fifth-inning rally. Later, after a throwing error by the Maryland third baseman, Ulaky came home on a wild pitch while Dean followed close behind on another Terrapin miscue.

With their first lead of the game at 2-1, the Hens settled in and slowly started to pull away. In the seventh, pinch hitter Chris Branigan worked a one-out walk before advancing to second on a single by D.J. Long. Carlos Alonso followed by drilling an RBI base hit to center that pushed Delaware’s advantage to 3-1.

One inning later, Ulaky continued to do damage. With two outs, Delaware’s designated hitter connected on a pitch and quickly deposited it behind the right field wall for his second home run of the season.

With the offense finding its groove, the pitching staff remained steady. After taking over for Londino in the sixth, Matt Harden dominated in relief. The junior retired the first 10 Terrapins he faced before allowing a one-out single in the bottom of the ninth. Later, after an error brought the tying run to the plate, the Hens summoned Eric Buckland from the bullpen, who quickly retired the only batter he saw to earn his first career save.

With his single in the seventh, Alonso extended his career-long hitting streak to 19 games dating back to last season. He has also reached base safely in all 54 games of his career.

Londino (1-0) earned the win after scattering three hits and a run over five innings of work. Sander Beck (0-2) took the loss after allowing three runs on six hits in seven innings on the mound.

Delaware will return to action on Tuesday when the team travels to Saint Joseph’s to take on the Hawks at 3 p.m.