University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware Bats Explode for 22 Hits in 20-3 Win over William & Mary in CAA Series Opener
3/15/2013 5:37:00 PM | Baseball
NEWARK, Del. – Cameron Travalini led the University of Delaware with four of the team's 22 hits and scored four runs in a 20-3 victory over the College of William & Mary in Colonial Athletic Association baseball action Friday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium.
Delaware (10-6, 3-1 CAA) collected 20-plus hits and scored 20 runs for the first time since May 25, 2010, when the Blue Hens defeated Hofstra, 25-10. William & Mary fell to 10-8 overall and 0-1 in the conference with the loss.
The teams will meet again Saturday at 1 p.m. in the second game of three game CAA weekend-set.
“We got some breaks in the first two innings due to some defensive miscues by William & Mary and it opened up the floodgates for us,” said Delaware head coach Jim Sherman. “That's just how this game is. Sometimes you look better than the outcome and other times the outcome looks better than how you really played.”
All 13 Blue Hens who stepped to the plate reached base in the game as Delaware scored runs in five of the first six innings played. Delaware's offense was highlighted by an eight-run, sixth inning that saw 12 Hens step to the plate.
Travalini reached base in all six plate appearances that included a career-high four hits and he also scored a career-high four runs for Delaware.
“Travalini has given us energy and life at the top of the order,” said Sherman. “With Travalini and Joe Giacchino as table-setters for the rest of our lineup, we have a pretty good thing going there.”
Giacchino extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a pair of hits, one RBI and two runs scored. Nick Ferdinand's hitting streak reached nine games with a run-scoring single in the first inning.
Zach Lopes went 2-for-4 and improved his CAA-leading batting average to .488 on the season. In the sixth inning Lopes smashed a lead-off home run over the left-field wall to start an eight-run frame for the Blue Hens.
Brock Niggebrugge set a career-high with four RBI on the day as the Hens shortstop went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three runs scored. Alex Mottle collected a pinch-hit, bases-clearing double for the final three runs in the sixth inning.
Delaware starter Chad Kuhl (3-1) earned the victory for the Hens after he surrendered one earned run in the first inning and finish his start with seven hits, two walks and five strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched.
“After he settled down in the first inning, Chad kept pitching to contact and did a good job,” said Sherman.
Brett Koehler (2-2) suffered the loss for the Tribe as the right-hander was charged with 12 runs (six earned) on 13 hits and three strikeouts in five innings.
William & Mary's tallied eight hits in the loss. Ryan Lindemuth's two base knocks made him the only Tribe batter with multiple hits in the game.
After the Tribe took an initial 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, William & Mary did not score again until two runs were tacked on in the ninth inning. Five errors by William & Mary contributed to 10 unearned runs in the loss.
“William & Mary is going to rebound and give a strong effort tomorrow,” said Sherman. “We need to be able to come back out with the same effort Saturday as we did today.”
Delaware hands the ball to righthander Adam Davis (2-2, 4.05 earned-run average) while William & Mary turns to righthander John Farrell (3-0, 2.35 ERA).
Delaware (10-6, 3-1 CAA) collected 20-plus hits and scored 20 runs for the first time since May 25, 2010, when the Blue Hens defeated Hofstra, 25-10. William & Mary fell to 10-8 overall and 0-1 in the conference with the loss.
The teams will meet again Saturday at 1 p.m. in the second game of three game CAA weekend-set.
“We got some breaks in the first two innings due to some defensive miscues by William & Mary and it opened up the floodgates for us,” said Delaware head coach Jim Sherman. “That's just how this game is. Sometimes you look better than the outcome and other times the outcome looks better than how you really played.”
All 13 Blue Hens who stepped to the plate reached base in the game as Delaware scored runs in five of the first six innings played. Delaware's offense was highlighted by an eight-run, sixth inning that saw 12 Hens step to the plate.
Travalini reached base in all six plate appearances that included a career-high four hits and he also scored a career-high four runs for Delaware.
“Travalini has given us energy and life at the top of the order,” said Sherman. “With Travalini and Joe Giacchino as table-setters for the rest of our lineup, we have a pretty good thing going there.”
Giacchino extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a pair of hits, one RBI and two runs scored. Nick Ferdinand's hitting streak reached nine games with a run-scoring single in the first inning.
Zach Lopes went 2-for-4 and improved his CAA-leading batting average to .488 on the season. In the sixth inning Lopes smashed a lead-off home run over the left-field wall to start an eight-run frame for the Blue Hens.
Brock Niggebrugge set a career-high with four RBI on the day as the Hens shortstop went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three runs scored. Alex Mottle collected a pinch-hit, bases-clearing double for the final three runs in the sixth inning.
Delaware starter Chad Kuhl (3-1) earned the victory for the Hens after he surrendered one earned run in the first inning and finish his start with seven hits, two walks and five strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched.
“After he settled down in the first inning, Chad kept pitching to contact and did a good job,” said Sherman.
Brett Koehler (2-2) suffered the loss for the Tribe as the right-hander was charged with 12 runs (six earned) on 13 hits and three strikeouts in five innings.
William & Mary's tallied eight hits in the loss. Ryan Lindemuth's two base knocks made him the only Tribe batter with multiple hits in the game.
After the Tribe took an initial 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, William & Mary did not score again until two runs were tacked on in the ninth inning. Five errors by William & Mary contributed to 10 unearned runs in the loss.
“William & Mary is going to rebound and give a strong effort tomorrow,” said Sherman. “We need to be able to come back out with the same effort Saturday as we did today.”
Delaware hands the ball to righthander Adam Davis (2-2, 4.05 earned-run average) while William & Mary turns to righthander John Farrell (3-0, 2.35 ERA).
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