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Rutgers 8, Delaware 7
April 22, 1999


Rutgers Edges Delaware 8-7 in Non-League Baseball

PISCATAWAY, NJ -- All-American outfielder Kevin Mench knocked in three runs, including a solo home run in the ninth inning, but it wasn't enough as the University of Delaware baseball team fell to host Rutgers 8-7 Thursday at the Class of 53 Complex.

The Blue Hens, who never held the lead despite a four-run fifth inning, fell to 19-16 overall while Rutgers improved to 25-14. Second baseman Matt Wolski and catcher Ken Ulrich each knocked in two runs for the Scarlet Knights.

Delaware fell behind 4-0 after three innings before scoring two runs in the fourth on an RBI single by Mench and a sacrifice fly by third baseman Frank DiMaggio. Rutgers answered with three runs in the fourth backed by an RBI double by third baseman Jake Daubert.

But the Hens came up with four runs in the fifth on consecutive RBI singles by second baseman Andrew Salvo, Mench, and designated hitter Matt Voltz to cut the lead to 7-6. The Scarlet Knights came up with a key insurance run in the seventh on an RBI single by shortstop Darren Fenster.

Delaware gave it one last shot in the ninth, cutting the lead to 8- 7 on Mench's team-leading 11th home run with one out, but Voltz popped out and DiMaggio grounded out to end the game.

Blue Hen freshman Nick Spiewak (0-1), making his first career start, took the loss, allowing two runs in two innings. Rutgers' Brett Hawken (1-0) allowed just one run in four two-thirds innings to pick up the win.

Delaware faces a big four-game America East set this weekend as the Blue Hens host Towson for doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday at 12 noon at Delaware Diamond. Delaware and Towson sit atop the America East standings with 9-3 records in league play.

AGATE:

Delaware...000 240 001 - 7-12-2
Rutgers....022 300 10x -8-11-2

Spiewak, Sage (3), Lorito (5), McGuire (7), Romond (8), and McSherry; Wheeler, Hawken (5) and Ulrich; E: DiMaggio (D), Kincaid; (D), Zoccolillo (R), Hawken (R); 2B: Maestrales (D), DeJesus (R), Daubert (R), O'Brien (R); HR: Mench (D); WP: Hawken (1-0); LP: Spiewak (0-1).

 

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