Delaware Caps Undefeated Weekend at Lady Pirate Classic With Victories Over Hampton, UMES
March 10, 2013
• Delaware-Hampton Boxscore | PDF
• UMES-Delaware Boxscore | PDF
HAMPTON, Va. -- The University of Delaware softball team closed out an undefeated performance at the Hampton Lady Pirate Classic this weekend by posting a 2-1 victory over the host Pirates and an 8-7 comeback win over Maryland Eastern Shore Sunday afternoon.
The Blue Hens were the only perfect team at the tournament, winning all four games over the last three days while improving to 14-3 on the year.
During the Blue Hens’ first game of the day, Delaware quickly opened the scoring as Jessica Grisler led off the contest with a triple down the leftfield line and scored one out later when Michelle McKinnon reached on a fielder’s choice. The Pirates (11-12) evened the game during the bottom of the third when Diamond Ponds led off by reaching on an error by UD third baseman Lara Andrews and moved to second on a bunt single by Margaret Wilkins. The Pirates then executed a double steal, while Ponds scored on a throwing error by Blue Hen catcher Mary O’Reilly.
But Delaware would rally back in the top of the fifth inning, scoring the final run of the game. Gabby Klecko (at right) led off with a double to leftfield, while Grisler followed with a walk. The Blue Hens then pulled off a double steal, while Klecko crossed the plate on a wild throw by Wilkins.
Delaware pitcher Chenxi Jiao would make the lead stand up, allowing just two hits the rest of the way to close out the victory. Jiao improved to 3-2 on the season after allowing one unearned run on six hits while striking out five. Hampton starter Jailynn Jackson dropped to 8-5 after she gave up two runs, one earned, on seven hits with 10 strikeouts.
Klecko went 3 for 3 with a run scored for the Blue Hens, while Lisa Stacevicz added a pair of hits during the win.
The Blue Hens quickly fell behind during their second game of the day, as UMES (4-11) exploded for five runs in the top of the first inning. Vanessa Gomez scored the first run of the game on a Delaware error, while Jasmine James then drove home a run with a bases loaded bunt single. Amanda Stacevicz then replaced Hannah Rust in the circle for UD, but she committed an error that allowed a third Hawks run to score. Belen Benitez then roped a two-run double to left, giving UMES the early five-run cushion.
The Hawks added a run in the second when Cherokee Williams stole home, before the Blue Hens countered with three in the bottom of the frame. Shelby Jones legged out an infield single that allowed Gina Knutson to score the first run, while a two-run double to center by Hannah George made it a 6-3 game.
Delaware closed to within a pair in the fourth when Kaitlyn Breneman double to leftcenter and scored when Klecko reached on an error, but the Hawks went back up three in the sixth as Benitez led off with a double and scored on a single up the middle by Emily Diseroad.
However the Blue Hens would rally in the bottom of the sixth, pushing across four runs to take the lead. UD loaded the bases with one out after Jones was hit by a pitch, George singled and Grisler walked, before a two-run single up the middle by Andrews made it a one-run game. McKinnon then singled ot left to drive home Grisler while Marisa Newman followed with a sacrifice fly to center, chasing home Andrews to put Delaware in front.
Stacevicz then retired the Hawks in order during the top of the seventh inning, closing out Delaware’s fifth consecutive win. Stacevicz improved to 3-0 after allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits in 6.2 innings of relief. Hawks pitcher Carmen Gurrola went the distance for UMES, allowing all eight runs, seven earned, while dropping to 4-7 on the year. George finished 2 for 3 with two RBI and a run scored to pace the Blue Hens, while Tori Conrad also had two hits and scored a run.
The Blue Hens return to action this weekend when they host the second annual University of Delaware Spring Invitational. UD plays four games at the tournament, including Friday’s home opener against Norfolk State at 1:30 p.m.
