Errors Hurt Delaware’s Chances at a Comeback, Hens Fall to Maryland, 7-6, in Non-conference Baseball Action
May 10, 2011
Photos Courtesy of Mark Campbell_lg.jpg)
• Boxscore
NEWARK, Del. - - A late-game rally fell just short as the University of Delaware baseball team had the potential winning run on base in the bottom of the ninth, but the Blue Hens were unable to tally the tying run and Maryland escaped with a 7-6 victory on Tuesday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium.
Poor defense proved to be the deciding factor for Delaware (26-23 overall) as the Blue Hens committed four errors and the pitching staff allowed only one earned run.
Maryland (21-36 overall) took advantage of the fielding mishaps by the Blue Hens, scoring three unearned runs in the fourth and two more in the sixth to take a 5-1 lead. The Terrapins put together a string of hits following a one-out walk to score their only earned run on the afternoon in the seventh inning.
Trailing 6-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth, the Blue Hens mounted a comeback, putting crooked numbers up in the their last two at-bats and cutting the Maryland margin to one run.
The first run of the eighth came as Dave Anderson (above right) hit a sharp ground ball to the right of the second baseman with runners on first and third. The ball glanced off the right side of Ryan Holland, allowing Nick Ferdinand to score. Holland then dropped an easy force out at second on the next play that scored Dylan Shupe and kept the inning alive. DJ Long singled in the inning’s final run two batters later, cutting the UM lead to 6-4.
Anderson led the Blue Hens with two RBI’s for the day.
Another unearned run in the top of the ninth for Maryland loomed large for the Blue Hens, as they were able to score an additional two runs in the home half of the last inning.
The Terrapins got their lead-off man on first as Anderson’s throw sailed high over Steve Ulaky at first base. With runners on first and third, Jake Stinnett sent a fly ball to right, easily scoring pinch runner Kyle Convissar for the eventual game-winning run.
Delaware got the first two runners on base in the bottom of the ninth as Ulaky and Ferdinand hit back-to-back singles to center. Two batters later, Ulaky came around to score on a fielding error by Alfredo Rodriguez at short. A sacrifice fly plated Ferdinand in the next at-bat, cutting the lead to 7-6 with two outs.
Aaron Mascoe (below right) kept the inning alive off closer Stinnett with a single up the middle, putting the potential winning run on first base. But Stinnett settled in and got pinch hitter Alex Mottle to roll a grounder to first base, ending the comeback bid and the contest.
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Long, Ulaky, Anderson, and Mascoe all tallied two hits a piece for the Blue Hens, who outhit the Terrapin 13-11.
Delaware starter Eric Buckland was saddled with the loss after giving up five unearned runs in 5.1 innings of work. He struck out one batter before handing it over to the bullpen.
Maryland’s Chuck Ghysels improved to 3-4 on the season with the win. He pitched six innings, allowing one run on seven hits. He struck out eight batters on the afternoon.
The loss extends the Blue Hens' losing streak to four games as they finish their six-game home stand Wednesday against Temple. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
As an additional scheduling note, Delaware’s contest against Rutgers next week has been moved up a day and will now be played on Tuesday, May 17 at 3 p.m.
AGATE:
Maryland… 0 0 0 3 0 2 1 0 1 – 7 11 3
Delaware… 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 2 – 6 13 4
E – Rodriguez (9); Holland (5); Lazar (4); Long (12); Stoltzfus (9); Anderson (10); Yates (2). LOB – Maryland 12; Delaware 12. 2B – Wacker (6); Long (19). HBP – Ramsay. SF – Stinnett (3); Anderson (3). Sb – Wacker 2 (14); Rodriguez (20); Holland 2 (10); Hagel 3 (5). CS – Wacker (7).
Win – Chuck Ghysels (3-4). Loss – Eric Buckland (2-1). Save – Jake Stinnett (2).
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