University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware Baseball?s Non-Conference Schedule Continues with Home Contest Versus Wilmington
3/18/2013 2:22:00 PM | Baseball
Delaware (10-8) will try to snap a two-game losing skid following a Colonial Athletic Association weekend series loss to William & Mary while Wilmington (13-8), who ranks No. 25 in the NCBWA NCAA Division II National Poll, has alternated wins and losses over the last five games.
The series between Delaware and Wilmington began in 1985, with the Blue Hens owning a 29-10 record over the Wildcats. The Blue Hens snapped a three-game losing streak to the Wildcats with last year's 6-2 win at Bob Hannah Stadium.
The Blue Hens turn to right-hander Connor Hibbs (1-0, 7.27 earned-run average) for the non-conference start. Wilmington will counter with right-hander Dave Hatt (2-0, 2.03 ERA).
Delaware's offense ranks third in the CAA with a .321 team batting average and have struck out the fewest times (94) in the conference. Jimmy Yezzo ranks in the conference's top 10 with 55 total bases (second), 23 RBI (third), 32 hits (fourth) and a .432 batting average (sixth). Zach Lopes also ranks among the CAA leaders with the eight-highest batting average (.417). Nick Ferdinand is third on the team with a .381 batting average and second on the squad with 19 RBI.
Blue Hens pitching staff sits sixth in the CAA with a 4.82 ERA. Right-handers Chad Kuhl (2.80) and Matt Soren (2.89) rank eighth and ninth in ERA in the conference. Reliever Steve Richter is 3-0 with one save and a 1.38 ERA while holding the opposition to a .098 batting average in eight appearances.
The Wildcats, members of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, are led by former University of Delaware baseball standout Brian August, who is in his ninth season as Wilmington's head coach.
Through 21 games this season, WU owns a .272 (186-for-685) team batting average. Five different WU hitters have 20-plus hits already. Brandon Payne leads the team hitting at a .364 clip while Josh Hampton has a team-high, 30 hits. Hampton had a 17-game hitting streak snapped over the weekend.
Wilmington's pitching staff has produced a 3.98 ERA (81 ER/183.1 IP) with 127 strikeouts. Reliever Tim Racek has a 1-0 record with a 1.98 ERA (3 ER/13.2 IP) and nine strikeouts in 12 games. Tyler Fries has yet to allow a run in 12.1 innings of work out of the bullpen with 14 strikeouts.
The Blue Hens will play a non-conference split weekend beginning on Saturday, March 23 with a home doubleheader against Bucknell University at 12:00 p.m. at Bob Hannah Stadium. Delaware will then travel to Lewisburg, Pa. on Sunday, March 24, and play Bucknell at 1:00 p.m.
