Crispell’s Strong Relief Effort, Early Run Support Leads Delaware Past James Madison, 10-5
April 23, 2011
Photos courtesy of Mark Campbell_lg.jpg)
NEWARK, Del. - - The bullpen held an early lead once again for the University of Delaware baseball team, as they defeated James Madison, 10-5, on Saturday, taking the first two games of the three game Colonial Athletic Association series at Bob Hannah Stadium.
This time it was a solo effort from Corey Crispell (above right) who dominated out of the bullpen, pitching the final 5.2 innings, only allowing two runs on two hits while striking out five. With the win, Delaware (22-16, 13-7 CAA) wins their fifth CAA series this season, and will look to earn the sweep against the team that was voted to win the conference in the preseason poll.
“Our trademark this year has been our bullpen,” head coach Jim Sherman said. “That’s the best Corey Crispell has thrown all year. He two hit them coming out of the pen. That was the difference maker right there. We got some timely hitting and came out of the gates with two home runs in the first.”
After starter Danny Gatto got out of the first unscathed, DJ Long led off the bottom half with a home run to left field to put the Blue Hens on the board. Two batters later, Steve Ulaky powered one to deep right center, easily clearing the 365 sign for a solo home run.
After James Madison (26-14, 11-9 CAA) tied the game with two runs in the third, the Blue Hens responded by putting a four spot on the board. Loading the bases with no out Ulaky stepped in and roped another towards the sign in right center, this one dropping in play for a stand up double. All three runners came around to score as the right fielder had trouble with his footing in the rain soaked outfield. Later in the inning, EJ Stoltzfus knocked in Nick Ferdinand for the final run of the frame.
That would be more than enough for Crispell, as he spelled Gatto with one out in the fourth. The only runs Crispell would allow came off the bat of the nation’s leading home run hitter, Jake Lowery. He took the first pitch he saw and sent it over the wall in right for his 19th home run of the season. From there, he blanked a team that averaged over 10 runs a game prior to this weekend.
“My breaking balls were working really well today, both my curveball and my slider,” the tall right-hander said of his work on the mound. “I used them to get a head a lot, and I had a lot of two strike counts. They are a great hitting team, so the key is to get ahead early with them and stay ahead.”
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Crispell improves to 4-2 on the season, as Duke starter Evan Scott was charged with the loss. Scott pitched 2.1 innings, giving up six runs on five hits. He dropped to 2-3 on the year for James Madison.
Ulaky (below right) led all hitters with three base hits and knocking in four runs. He finished 3-for-5 adding a double, and two runs scored. Dameron was the only other Blue Hen to have more than one hit. He batted 2-for-4 with a double, knocked in a run and scored twice.
Lowery and Matt Tenaglia each went 2-for-4 for the Dukes, as Lowery led the team with two RBI’s and two runs scored. Lowery now had 66 RBI’s on the year, continuing to lead the country.
“Its all about winning series,” Sherman said of the possible sweep on Sunday. “Tomorrow is such a big game to get a sweep. We do that and we are going to set ourselves up for the next three weekends.”
Crispell echoed his coach, wanting to finish off a strong weekend with a win. “We have been looking at this series the past couple weeks because they were supposed to be the best team in the league, so it’s a big series. Hopefully we come out and play like we have played the past two day, because we are going to be tough to beat if we play like that.”
The series will conclude on Sunday with a game at 1 p.m. The Blue Hens will send Chad Kuhl to the mound as the Dukes will respond with Alex Valadja.
AGATE:
James Madison… 0 0 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 – 5 7 2
Delaware……… 2 0 4 1 0 1 2 0 X – 10 10 1
E – Herbek (10); Weiner (2); Anderson (7). DP – Delaware 1. LOB – JMU 3. Delaware 8. 2B – Tenaglia (6); Shaban (7); Dameron (15); Ulaky (14). 3B – Mascoe (1). HR – Lowery (19); Long (3); Ulaky (11); Anderson (4). HBP – Yates. SH – McFarland (2); Anderson (7). SF – Dameron (5); Ferdinand (1). Sb – Bladel (19); Lowery (7).
Win – Corey Crispell (4-2). Loss – Evan Scott (2-3). Save – None.
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