Photos Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

NEWARK, Del. -Carlos Alonso recorded just the fourth cycle in program history as the Blue Hens' senior third baseman helped lift the University of Delaware baseball team past Towson, 18-10, during a wild Colonial Athletic Association slugfest at Bob Hannah Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Alonso (top right) finished the day 5-for-6 with two singles, a double, one triple, and a home run. He also knocked in four and scored twice to lead Delaware (17-14, 2-5 CAA).

Fittingly, his performance came exactly 13 years to the day after UD’s last cycle. On April 16, 1997, Jamie McSherry became the third Hen to accomplish the feat after doing it in a 29-5 victory over Rider.

Ryan Cuneo (bottom right) also had a big day for the Hens as the standout first baseman roped four hits, including a pair of solo home runs that landed in the woods across the street from the stadium. Pat Dameron, Josh Dean, and Aaron Mascoe all recorded three hits as well, while D.J. Long extended his hitting streak to 26 games with a 2-for-5 performance.

In the bottom of the first, the Blue Hens pounced on Towson (10-25, 5-8) with a pair of solo shots. Alonso led off the game with a laser to leftfield before Cuneo crushed his first blast of the game to right.

Although the Tigers halved their deficit on a homer by Chris Wychock in the second, Delaware shot back with a run in the bottom of the inning after Dean singled, stole second, and scored on an RBI hit by Alonso.

Following another Towson run in the third that brought the visitors within one at 3-2, the Blue Hens pulled away with a beautiful four-run rally in the bottom of the inning.

Back-to-back doubles by Cuneo and Dameron jumpstarted the surge. Later, following a single by Dave Anderson and a walk to Dean, the Hens had the bases loaded with only one down. Steve Ulaky followed with a crushing blow to the Tigers as the junior designated hitter cleared the bases with a deep double to left center.

After a scoreless fourth, Towson capitalized on a three-run homer by Kevin Collins to pull within two at 7-5. Delaware quickly landed a counterpunch in the fifth and sixth. Three straight singles by Mascoe, Alonso, and Long plated the squad’s lone run in the fifth before Delaware erupted for a five-spot in the sixth.

Cuneo led off the inning with his second moon shot of the game that clanked high off a tree in the woods behind rightfield. Then, after Anderson, Dean, and Ulaky all drew walks, Mascoe opened up some space on the base paths with a three-run double down the leftfield line. Following a pitching change, Alonso capped the rally with an RBI triple to left center.

Leading by eight at 13-5, the Hens hit a rough patch in the seventh. Nick Natoli roped an RBI single and Steve Yarsinsky clubbed a two-run homer to pull the team within five. Later, in the eighth, Steve Rice clocked a two-run shot to left that brought the Tigers within three at 13-10.

Following Towson’s surge, the weather quickly became a factor. In the top of the eighth, a storm rolled in that forced an hour-long delay in the action. The stoppage seemed to dampen the Tigers’ comeback bid and allow Delaware to regroup and come out firing.

After the tarp was pulled off the field, Blue Hen reliever Nick Young recorded the final out in the top of the eighth before the UD offense went back to work. Dean immediately came out swinging as the senior centerfielder launched a solo shot to left center.

Then, after a double by Ulaky and a bunt single by Mascoe, Towson reliever Tyler Austin uncorked a wild pitch that brought in the second run of the inning. With Alonso at the plate needing a double for the cycle, he worked the count full before drilling a shot down the leftfield line for the milestone.

Later, after Towson got the first two outs of the inning, Dameron capped the scoring with a tremendous two-run shot to left center.

Brian Rorick (2-1) benefited from the 25-hit barrage as he picked up the win after scattering eight runs on 11 hits in seven innings of work. Michael Trionfo (1-4) took the loss after allowing seven runs in 2.1 innings.

The two teams will continue their three-game series tomorrow at 1 p.m.