Three Run Sixth Inning Propels First Place Delaware Past VCU, 6-4, for Series Clinching Win
April 29, 2011
Photos courtesy of Mark Campbell _lg.jpg)
• Boxscore
RICHMOND, Va. - - Sitting atop the Colonial Athletic Association Standings coming into Saturday’s contest, the University of Delaware used a three-run sixth inning to come from behind and remain alone in first by defeating Virginia Commonwealth, 6-4, at The Diamond, winning the three-game series with a game yet to be played.
Dave Anderson’s (above right) double two-run double and Aaron Mascoe’s RBI groundout gave Delaware (25-18, 15-8 CAA) a 5-3 lead and reliever Corey Crispell took care of the rest, putting away VCU (16-23, 8-12 CAA) for the Blue Hens sixth CAA series win of the season.
Crispell (below right) relieved starter Danny Gatto with no outs in the fourth after the Rams already scored two runs and pitched the remaining six innings, only allowing one run on four hits. He struck out five Ram batters on his way to his fifth win of the season.
The CAA leading Blue Hens took their first lead of the game with a two run third inning. Delaware loaded the bases with one out in the inning to bring EJ Stoltzfus to the plate who stretched his career best hitting streak to nine consecutive games with a single to center. His hit scored Alex Mottle before Nick Ferdinand’s sacrifice fly scored DJ Long to take the early 2-1 lead.
Joey Cujas’ double down the left field line scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth, and also drove Gatto from the ballgame with zero outs in the inning. But in came Crispell who shut down the Ram offense the rest of the way.
Responding immediately after the two run inning, the Blue Hens put the first three base runners on in the top of the fifth. Stoltfus, Steve Ulaky and Ferdinand all singled to load the bases with no outs. Two batters later, Anderson brought two of the runners home with his eighth double of the season. Mascoe’s RBI groundout to third base scored Ulaky, proving to be the game-winning RBI.
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The only hiccup in Crispell’s outing was a solo run in the fifth inning. Three singles in the inning for the Rams scored John Lenherr before Crispell got the final two outs of the inning, stranding two runners on the base paths.
Delaware added an insurance run in the seventh to bring the final score to 6-4. With one out, Ulaky, Ferdinand and Chris Branigan hit back-to-back-to-back singles, eventually scoring Ulaky for the final run of the game.
Crispell retired the final seven batters of the game, not allowing a base runner in the eighth and ninth innings, improving to 5-2 on the season. Gatto pitched three innings, giving up three runs on five hits while striking out four Rams on the afternoon.
The first four batters of head coach Jim Sherman’s lineup recorded two hits apiece, as Ferdinand finished 2-for-3. Long, Stoltzfus, and Ulaky also added two hits on the day.
Lenherr, Cujas and Nick Kime all had two hits for the Rams, who totaled nine on the afternoon. Kyle Haynes fell to 4-6 on the season, pitching six innings while giving up five runs on nine hits for VCU.
The Blue Hens will look for the sweep on Sunday, as the series concludes with the third and final game of the series. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.
AGATE:
Delaware… 0 0 2 0 3 0 1 0 0 – 6 12 1
VCU…..… 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 – 4 9 0
E – Anderson. DP – VCU 1. LOB – Delaware 6; VCU 9 . 2B – Long; Anderson; Cujas. HBP – Kime. SF – Ferdinand. SB – Nice. CS – Mottle.
Win – Corey Crispell (5-2). Loss – Kyle Haynes (4-6). Save – None.
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