University of Delaware Baseball Claims CAA Series with 6-2 Victory Over VCU
April 15, 2012
-lg.jpg)
• File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware baseball squad scored all the runs it would need in the first two innings of play in a 6-2 victory over the VCU Rams in the Colonial Athletic Association’s weekend series finale Sunday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium.
Delaware (19-18, 11-7 CAA) won its third straight CAA weekend series with Sunday’s victory while the Rams (19-17, 7-11 CAA) dropped to 3-8 in conference road games.
"This was a big home weekend series win for us because we had lost our two previous home CAA weekend series,” head coach Jim Sherman expressed. “You need to win your home CAA series because all road conference games are tough, no matter the opponent.”
After VCU opened the game with a run in the first inning, Delaware responded immediately, scoring twice in the first inning and adding four more in the second to take a quick 6-1 advantage. A run-scoring double by Jimmy Yezzo in the first inning and a two-run double by Alex Maruri in the second were the big blows for the Blue Hens.
Blue Hen starter Chad Kuhl (2-4) earned his second win of the season after the right-hander limited VCU to two earned runs on five hits and struck out six in six innings on the mound. The sophomore has pitched into the sixth inning in all six of his CAA starts this season.
“He is starting to show he belongs in this conference as a front-end guy,” Sherman stated. “He’s getting better and better in each outing.”
The duo of Devon Pearson and Stephen Richter finished the game with three scoreless innings of relief.
Delaware’s offense ratcheted eight hits on the day, with designated hitter Maruri the only Blue Hen with two hits. Cameron Travalini left the series with an eight-game hitting streak that began on April 3.
During the VCU series, the Blue Hen offense generated 37 hits, which included 10 doubles and two home runs. Nick Ferdinand (above right) hit .500 in the series (6-for-12) with three doubles, two RBI and two runs scored. Yezzo collected five RBI in the series with the first baseman hitting .429 (6-for-14). Of his six hits in the series, three were for extra-bases. Maruri went 5-for-8 with three doubles and three RBI in the series.
The Rams took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Bill Cullen lined a leadoff triple to the left-center field wall. Jordan Weymouth lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that allowed Cullen to score the game’s first run.
The Blue Hens would respond in the bottom of the first inning after DJ Long drew a one-out walk, Yezzo smacked a RBI double to right field that tied the game. After Maruri and Ferdinand drew walks, Tyler Powell drove in Yezzo on a fielder’s choice which gave UD a 2-1 advantage.
With two outs in the bottom of the second inning, Travalini reached on a infield single and showcased his speed by scoring from first on Long’s RBI double to center field. After Yezzo reached on an error by VCU second baseman, Weymouth, Long dashed to third base on the play. With runners on the corners, Maruri laced a two-run double to the left-center field gap that cleared the bases. Ferdinand added a RBI single to right field that knocked in Maruri as Delaware’s lead jumped to 6-1.
VCU drove in their final run of the game on a one-out solo home run over the left field wall by Nick Kime in the fifth inning.
Rams reliever Kyle Pelchy (3-3) kept VCU in the ballgame after the righty tossed six scoreless innings of relief and held the Blue Hens to four hits. VCU starter Heath Dwyer surrendered six runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks and never made it out of the second inning.
Delaware returns to the field on Tuesday, April 17, when the Blue Hens travel to Ambler, Pa. to face Temple University. Right-hander Dan Gatto is expected to get the start on the mound against the Owls.
