University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware Baseball Falls to Rutgers, 6-4, Behind Seventh Inning Troubles
4/24/2012 5:35:00 PM | Baseball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – A four-run seventh inning proved costly for the University of Delaware baseball team as the Blue Hens fell to Rutgers University by a 6-4 score Tuesday afternoon at Bainton Field.
Delaware (20-19), playing for the first time since Apr. 17, outhit Rutgers 9-8 but the Blue Hens offense left eight men on base paths in the loss.
Blue Hen first baseman Chris Branigan and third baseman EJ Stoltzfus collected four of Delaware's nine hits with two apiece in the defeat while right fielder Nick Ferdinand saw his eight-game hitting streak snapped with an 0 for 4 performance.
Scarlet Knights reliever Willie Beard (3-0) silenced Delaware over the final three innings as he scattered two walks and two strikeouts en route to the win.
Ken Fetchko (1-1) received the loss after he walked the only batter he faced in the seventh inning. Jeff Murray, who replaced Fetchko with the bases loaded, allowed all three inherited runners to score during Rutgers' four-run, seventh inning.
The Scarlet Knights (23-17) drew first blood in in the bottom of the fourth inning when Nick Favatella lined a leadoff double down the left-field lined and advanced to third base on a groundout. Following an infield single by Patrick Kivlehan, a sacrifice fly was lifted to right field by Steve Zavala that knocked home Favatella.
Stoltzfus smacked a one-out single up the middle in the top of the fifth inning and trotted to second base after Brock Niggebrugge was hit by a pitch. After Ty Warrington reached on an infield single that loaded the bases, DJ Long collected a two-run, two-out double down the left-field line that gave the Blue Hens a 2-1 advantage.
Rutgers knotted the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Joe D'Annunzio reached on a single through the right side. Pat Sweeney added a game-tying RBI double into the left-field corner that drove in D'Annunzio.
Delaware recaptured a 3-2 advantage in the top of the sixth inning after Tyler Powell laced a single through the left side and reached second on Branigan's single to left field. Stoltzfus ripped a single up the middle that plated Powell for Delaware's third run.
In the top of the seventh inning, Delaware's Cameron Travalini drew a leadoff walk and promptly stole second base. After a groundout moved Travalini to third, Ferdinand coaxed a walk. A throwing error by Rutgers shortstop Sweeney allowed Ferdinand to reach base while Travalini scored and furnished Delaware a 4-2 edge.
Bill Hoermann and D'Annuzio each collected one-out singles in the bottom of the seventh inning before Sweeney drew a walk that loaded the bases. With the sacks packed, Brian O'Grady lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that plated Hoermann. Favatella delivered the knockout blow for the Scarlet Knights with a two-run, bases-clearing triple down the right field line that scored D'Annuzio and Sweeney. A RBI single by Jeff Melillo drove in Favatella and gave Rutgers the 6-4 advantage.
Delaware starter Dan Gatto received a no-decision as the right-hander tossed 6.1 innings on the mound and registered four earned runs on six hits and six strikeouts.
Pat O'Leary also registered a no-decision after the Rutgers starter surrendered four runs (three earned) on nine hits in six innings pitched.
Delaware returns to Colonial Athletic Association action on Friday, April 27 as the Blue Hens host Hofstra University in game one of their three-game, weekend series. With first pitch set for 3 p.m., UD will turn to right-hander Eric Young (4-3, 4.03 ERA) in the series opener.
