University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware Bangs Out Nine Hits But Drops 9-2 Verdict to Houston to Close Out Season-Opening Series
2/19/2012 5:28:00 PM | Baseball
HOUSTON -- The University of Delaware baseball squad matched host Houston in the hit category with nine each, but the host Cougars scored all the runs they would need with a three-run third inning on the way to a 9-2 win over the Blue Hens Sunday at Cougar Field.
Houston (3-0), which swept a doubleheader from the Blue Hens (0-3) on Saturday with wins of 7-5 and 16-1, swept the season-opening series with the victory.
Delaware will continue action on the road this week when the Hens travel to South Carolina for a four-game set in Charleston, S.C. against host The Citadel beginning Thursday. The teams will also play single games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The Blue Hens struck first against Houston on Sunday, scoring a run in the third inning before the Cougars put up three runs in the third inning, two more in the fourth, and four more in the eighth.
Delaware third baseman EJ Stoltzfus (at right), catcher Andrew Burgess, and shortstop Brock Niggebrugge each collected two hits to lead the Blue Hen offense. Niggebrugge scored the Hens' first run of the game in the third on a passed ball while Stoltzfus delivered a run-scoring single in the ninth inning to plate Cameron Travalini.
Houston scored its three runs in the third inning on a passed ball, an RBI single by third baseman Jake Runte, and a sacrifice fly by first baseman Chase Grayson. The Cougars upped the lead to 5-2 in the fourth thanks to a two-run home run by leftfielder Price Jacobs. Houston's four-run eighth was highlighted by a two-run single by centerfielder Landon Appling.
Houston starter Aaron Garza (1-0) picked up the win as he allowed just one earned run and scattered five hits in six innings of work. Delaware junior starter Matt Soren (0-1) took the loss as Houston chased him in the fourth inning. Six other Delaware pitchers saw action on the mound with four of them holding the Cougars without a run.
