Long and Dameron's Double Steal Leads to Game-Winning Run in Seventh, Hens Bounce Back with 6-5 Win Over Hofstra
March 19, 2011
File Photos Courtesy of Mark Campbell (top) and Chris Permar
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• Boxscore
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - - DJ Long (above right) and Pat Dameron’s double steal in the seventh inning forced an error by the catcher, allowing Long to score the winning run as the University of Delaware bounced back and defeated Hofstra, 6-5, in Colonial Athletic Association action at University Field on Saturday.
Delaware (9-10, 4-1 CAA) went up 5-1 after the top of the sixth inning, but Hofstra (2-12, 2-3 CAA) hung tough and made it a game late, cutting the lead to one with a run in the ninth. Steve Richter had back-to-back doubles with two outs hits against him in the ninth, but got Joe Perez to strike out to end the ballgame.
The Blue Hens started a two out rally in the first to produce their first two runs of the game, taking a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Steve Ulaky started the rally with a single to right. Aaron Mascoe then singled to left, followed by Hank Yates single, which allowed Ulkay to come across for the games first run. Nick Ferdinand reached on an error by the third baseman, allowing Mascoe to score for the 2-0 lead.
The game remained at 2-0 until the fifth inning, as Hofstra threatened to tie the score but was denied by the arm of Alex Mottle and Long. With runners on first and second, Danny Poma laced a double to right field, easily scoring TJ Thomas from second. Being waved around third, Kevin Flynn was caught at the plate, on a relay from Mottle to Long to Mascoe for the third out of the inning.
The Blue Hens broke out with a three run fifth, with help from Thomas in right field. Mascoe and Taes led off the inning with back-to-back singles, then two batters later Mottle singled to right to score Mascoe. Thomas misplayed the ball in right which allowed Yates to come all the way around from first base for the second run. Now on third base, Mottle trotted home the next at-bat as Logan Gallagher singled to left field for the 5-1 lead.
The Pride wouldn’t roll over, however, as they reposnded with a three spot of their own in the bottom half of the sixth inning to close the game to within one at 5-4.
Still leading by one, Long and Dameron singled to put two runners on with no outs to start the inning. After the Pride got Ulaky and Mascoe to stall the threat, Long and Dameron took it upon themselves. As Mascoe struckout swinging, Long and Dameron took off, causing an error by the catcher, which allowed Long to come home with the team’s sixth run.
The Pride went down quietly in the seventh and eighth as Jeff Murray only allowed a hit in 2.2 innings of work out of the bullpen. He recorded two strikeouts, while facing 10 batters. He turned the ball over to Richter for the ninth, who recorded the save, but not without some drama.
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Richter retired Kenny Jackson and Bobby Gazzola for the first two outs of the inning. Poma then doubled to right center, followed by a Nasiatka double to right, putting the tying run in scoring position. But Richter bounced back, and got Perez to strike out swinging on a full count to end the game.
Dameron (below right) finished 3-for-5 on the afternoon to lead the 13 hit attack by the Blue Hens. Mascoe and Yates recorded two hits apiece as the only other Blue Hens with multiple hits.
Blue Hen starter Devon Pearson picked up his first win of the season, as he threw the first five innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Rob Kumbatovic was saddled with the loss for the Pride, as he threw five innings of eight hit ball, giving up four runs (two earned).
The rubber match of the series is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. The Blue Hens will send freshman Chad Kuhl to the mound, looking to earn the series victory and stay among the top of the CAA Standings.
AGATE:
Delaware..... 2 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 – 6 13 0
Hofstra….… 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 1 – 5 8 3
E – Nasiatka (2); Perez (5); Thomas (2). DP – Hofstra 3. LOB – Delaware 6; Hofstra 7. 2B – Poma 2(5); Nasiatka (3). HBP – Hammer; Verbitsky. SB – Long (2); Dameron (4). CS – Perez (2).
Win – Pearson (1-2). Loss – Kumbatovic (0-3). Save – Richter (3).
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