University of Delaware Athletics
Young's Gem Gives Delaware Baseball Doubleheader Split With Fairfield Friday in Blue Hens' 2012 Home Opener
3/2/2012 3:57:00 PM | Baseball
NEWARK, Del. -- Blue Hen righthander Eric Young continued his dominant start to the season by again allowing no earned runs in a complete game nightcap victory as the University of Delaware baseball team salvaged a doubleheader split with Fairfield University in UD's home opener Friday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium.
The Stags took the seven-inning opener, 4-0, before the Blue Hens responded behind Young with a 4-1 nine-inning victory during the nightcap.
Second baseman D.J. Long tallied three hits, an RBI and a run scored on the day, while Corey Crispell and Young both provided solid starting pitching for the Blue Hens. Ryan Plourde notched four hits and scored a run on the afternoon for the Stags.
The seven-inning game one was a tight pitcher's duel that did not see a runner reach second base through the first five innings.
In the top of the sixth, the Stags (4-3) had the bases empty with two outs when three consecutive singles, including two in the infield, loaded the bases for designated hitter Ryan Donovan. Donovan proceeded to line the first pitch from Crispell down the rightfield line to score two runs. Donovan was thrown out at second attempting to stretch the hit into a double, but the damage had been done and Fairfield was out in front, 2-0.
The Stags added two unearned runs in the top of the seventh to provide the final margin. Brett Shulick allowed only three hits in six innings to earn his first win of the season, and also picked three Blue Hen baserunners off first base. Crispell allowed two earned runs and struck out five without a walk in 6.1 innings in taking the loss for the Blue Hens (3-6).
In the second game Fairfield threatened to blow the game open in the very first inning. After scoring an unearned run the Stags loaded the bases with only one out, but Young struck out catcher Sebastian Salvo and induced a pop up from third baseman Mark Skrapits to wiggle out of the jam.
Delaware then took the lead with two runs in the third, highlighted by an RBI double by Long. The Blue Hens added two more in the sixth when Nick Ferdinand's double drove in Long, and first baseman Alex Maruri (at right) followed with a hit that scored Ferdinand.
The runs were more than enough for Young, who went the distance for Delaware, striking out seven and allowing only two hits after the first inning to earn his second win of 2012. Young has not allowed an earned run in three starts this season, giving up just the one unearned run today, through his first 24 innings of work this season.
Jeremy Soule took the loss for Fairfield to fall to 0-1.
The Hens and Stags will attempt to play the third game of their four-game weekend set on Saturday at 12 noon, weather permitting.
