University of Delaware Athletics
Gatto Stymies Maryland's Offense as Delaware Baseball Gains Revenge Over Terrapins with 3-1 Victory
3/21/2012 4:30:00 PM | Baseball
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware's Dan Gatto stymied the University of Maryland offense over five innings as the Blue Hen baseball squad defeated the Terrapin's to the tune of a 3-1 victory Wednesday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium.
Delaware (9-12) bounced back from a two-game skid following Tuesday's defeat to Delaware State and struck revenge on Maryland (15-7) after the Terrapins beat the Blue Hens 2-0 earlier in this month. The Blue Hen win marked only the second non-conference loss this season for Maryland as the Terrapins have been ranked as high as No. 20 this season in various national polls.
Gatto (1-1) (at right) earned his first win of the season for the Blue Hens after the Dover, Del. native completed five innings where he allowed one earned run on three hits, two walks and five strikeouts.
“He got his opportunity and he showed it,” expressed Delaware head coach Jim Sherman on Gatto's winning performance. “He pitched really well over his five innings and was one of the reason's we won the game."
The Blue Hens scored all the runs needed for the victory in the third inning as DJ Long's first home run of the season, a one-out solo shot over the left field wall, got the offense on the right foot in the frame. Later in the third inning, Alex Maruri followed with a single to left field that set up Nick Ferdinand, who reached on an infield single as Maruri raced to third base. Jimmy Yezzo's RBI single up the middle plated Maruri while Ferdinand sprinted to second base. Nick Hartley added a RBI single to left field that drove home Ferdinand for the Blue Hens' final run.
Maryland's lone run came in the sixth inning on a leadoff solo home run over the left field wall by shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez. Relievers Brandon Hinkle and Devon Pearson held Maryland scoreless over the final four innings as the duo allowed one hit and tallied two strikeouts. The left-hander earned his third save and lowered his ERA to 0.81 over his nine appearances this season.
“His three innings of shutdown were outstanding,” said Sherman regarding Pearson's dominant outing.
Of the nine hits that UD collected in the game, Hartley and Long each collected two apiece that led the Blue Hens offense.
Maryland starter Sander Beck (3-1) suffered his first defeat of the season after the righty tossed six innings. He surrendered three earned runs on eight hits, two walks and seven strikeouts. Michael Boyden threw two scoreless innings and issued one hit in relief.
The Blue Hens return to Colonial Athletic Association action with a three-game, weekend series on Friday, March 21 against the Towson Tigers at 3 p.m.
