University of Delaware Athletics
First Inning Woes Hinder Delaware Baseball in 4-0 Shutout Loss to Hofstra
4/28/2012 5:40:00 PM | Baseball
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware baseball team was held to just six hits in a 4-0 shutout loss to Hofstra in the second game of the team's Colonial Athletic Association series Saturday afternoon under cloudy skies at Bob Hannah Stadium.
Hofstra (24-17, 13-7 CAA) increased its winning streak to three games with the victory while Delaware (20-21, 11-9 CAA) suffered its third straight loss ands succumbed to its fourth shutout loss of the season.
The loss marked the first time since April 7 that Blue Hens have moved below a .500 record.
Down by four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Blue Hens got three hits from Nick Ferdinand, Tyler Powell and EJ Stoltzfus that brought the game-tying run to the plate.
However, Hofstra reliever Bryan Verbitsky worked his way out of the jam and completed the victory for Hofstra as he got Delaware's Joe Giacchino to ground out to shortstop with the bases loaded to end the game.
Powell, a freshman who leads the team with a .367 batting average, was the only Blue Hens batter with more than one hit during the game as he went 2 for 4.
Hofstra starter John Tiedemann (5-3) cruised through eight scoreless innings on the mound with seven strikeouts and held Delaware to only three hits and two walks for his fifth win of the season.
Delaware starter Corey Crispell (4-3) suffered the hard luck defeat as the right-hander yielded just three runs (one earned), all in the first inning. In seven innings on the hill, Crispell scattered eight hits while striking out five.
The Pride seized an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning after Dalton Rouleau reached on a throwing error by Blue Hen shortstop Brock Niggebrugge.
After Danny Poma drew a walk, Matt Ford moved the runners into scoring position after grounding out. Jared Hammer lined a two-run double to right field that cleared the bases. A Bryan Verbitsky RBI single through the right side drove home Hammer for the frame's final run.
Hofstra added a final run in the game in the top of the ninth inning after Poma lined a double to center field, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on Ford's groundball that resulted in a fielding error by Delaware first baseman Chris Branigan.
The Blue Hens will hand the ball to right-hander Chad Kuhl (2-4, 4.81 ERA) Sunday in the series finale at 1 p.m. at Bob Hannah Stadium. Hofstra will counter with right-hander David Jesch (4-0, 3.49).
