Double Plays, Errors Mar Blue Hens' Home Opener as Delaware Falls to Saint Joseph's 9-3
March 2, 2011
File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
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• Boxscore
NEWARK, Del. - - Four errors by the University of Delaware marred the home opener for the Blue Hen baseball squad Wednesday as the big miscue in the ninth inning broke open a close game and helped Saint Joseph’s pick up a 9-3 victory at Bob Hannah Stadium.
The Hawks (5-4) jumped out to a 5-3 lead after five innings and broke it open with a our-run ninth that was highlighted by a bases loaded error with no out when a deep drive by Kevin Kratochwill was dropped when Delaware centerfield Hank Yates and rightfielder Chris Branigan collided on the play. Two runs scored on the play and the Hawks followed with an RBI single from Greg Kumpel and a sacrifice fly by Chris Hueth to clinch the victory.
The Blue Hens (3-6), who had posted a win over ninth-ranked Arizona State last week and were coming off a 10-5 victory over UMB Tuesday, banged out nine hits but hit into four double plays. Pat Dameron (at right), Steve Ulaky and Logan Gallagher each collected two hits with Dameron knocking in two runs with a single in Delaware’s three-run fifth that narrowed the gap.
The fifth inning saw the most action on the afternoon, as the Hawk extended their lead to 5-0, scoring three runs in the top half. Needing to respond, the Blue Hens cut into the lead crossing the plate three times of their own.
With no outs, Delaware loaded the bases in the first three batters as Jimmy Yezzo led off with a double to the right centerfield gap. Gallagher hit his first single of the game, moving Yezzo to third. A pitch by Hawk starter Daniel Thorpe hit catcher Dylan Shupe, loading the bases. Dave Anderson chopped one to second base, reaching on a fielder’s choice as Shupe was out on the play at second base, but allowing Yezzo to come home for the first run. Two batters and an out later, Dameron put a two-run single into left field, scoring Gallagher and Anderson, who stole second base prior to the single.
Although the fifth inning would be the only inning the Blue Hens would score in, it wasn’t without getting runners on base and having the opportunity to do more damage. But it was the Hawk defense that kept the visitors ahead on the scoreboard.
In all, the Blue Hens left only five men on base, but hitting into four double plays on the afternoon helped that for the Hawks. Perhaps the biggest double play came in the first inning as the Hens could have gotten on top, and change the tempo of the contest.
But, with one out in the first, Dameron and Ulaky singled to put two runners on base it was beginning to look like a big innings. But Branigan hit one to the shortstop who turned the 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.
They also hit into double plays in the third, fourth and ended the game with one in the ninth. The Hawks used all kinds of way to get one out on the play, as center fielder Brett Tiagwad had an assist in one of them during the third inning. They also went around the horn, ending the game with a 5-4-3 turn.
Nick Young was charged with the loss for the Blue Hens as he pitched 4.1 innings giving up five runs on six hits. Dominic Favazza earns the win for the Hawks, pitching 1.1 innings of relief, allowing only one hit. Starter Thorpe was pulled after 4.2 innings, allowing the three runs, but did not pitch into the fifth to garner the victory.
The Hens look to redeem themselves at home this Friday and Saturday, as they host in-state rival Wilmington University for a two-game series at Bob Hannah Stadium. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
AGATE:
Saint Joseph’s…. 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 4 – 9 8 0
Delaware……… 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 – 3 9 4
E – Branigan; Gallagher 2 (4); Young, N. (1). DP – SJU 4. LOB – SJU 6; Delaware 5. 2B – Kumpel (2); Taylor (2); Yezzo (2); Shupe (1). HBP – Tiagwad; Cirillo; Dameron; Shupe. SH – Tiagwad (1); Renner (1); Cirillo (1). SF – Hueth (1). SB – Anderson (1).
Win Favazza (2-0). Loss – Young, N. (0-1). Save - None
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