University of Delaware Athletics
Gatto Sets Career-High in Strikeouts as Delaware's Offense Rolls in 17-3 Win over Saint Joseph?s in First Round of Liberty Bell Baseball Classic
3/27/2013 3:48:00 PM | Baseball
NEWARK, Del. – Dan Gatto tallied a career-high eight strikeouts and the Blue Hen offense hammered out 13 base hits as the University of Delaware baseball team seized a 17-3 victory over Saint Joseph's in the first round of the Liberty Bell Classic Wednesday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium.
The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but wintery conditions forced the game to be played on Wednesday.
Delaware (15-8) now own a five-game winning streak while Saint Joseph's (10-13) drops to 4-12 in road games this season. The Blue Hens are in pursuit for their eighth Liberty Bell Classic and will host the second round on Tuesday, April 2 at 3 p.m. at Bob Hannah Stadium.
“The Liberty Bell Classic is something big with the eight Division I schools in the region competing,” said Delaware head coach Jim Sherman. “Of course we want to win the championship, but a win next week secures a chance to play at Citizen's Bank Park in the championship game and that is an exciting experience for the kids.”
Trailing SJU 1-0 in the first Inning, the Blue Hens scored the next 11 runs through the sixth inning. Down 11-1, the Hawks added two runs in the top of the seventh inning before UD tallied the final six runs of the game in the bottom half of the inning for a 17-3 win.
“They gave us some breaks with errors that put runners into scoring position,” said Sherman. “When we get those breaks, we need to capitalize on them like we did today.”
Delaware's offense collected 13 hits as every starter for the Hens pocketed a base hit in the victory. Tyler Powell, Ty Warrington and Brock Niggebrugge (bottom left) each accumulated two hits that led the UD hitters. Joe Giacchino, Powell and Niggebrugge each scored three times in the victory.
DJ Long collected a team-high three RBI on a bases-clearing, three-run double in the seventh inning. Jimmy Yezzo added a three-run double in the sixth inning and extend his on-base streak to 35 games over the last two seasons.
Blue Hen starter Gatto (1-1) earned his first win of the season after he collected a career-high eight strikeouts to go along with one earned run on four hits in six innings on the mound.
“Danny was very good after the first inning, once he got a feel for his pitches,” said Sherman. “He threw really well and that gave a boost to our pitching staff.”
Relievers Ken Fetchko and Eric Sawyer each threw an inning of hitless relief over the final two frames for the Blue Hens.
The Hawks' offense was led by Collin Forgey and Mike Muha, who collected four of the teams six hits with two hits apiece. Muha connected on a run-scoring double in the first inning.
Saint Joseph's starter Jack Stover (0-3) suffered the loss for the Hawks after the left-hander surrendered seven runs (five earned) on five hits, two walks and two strikeouts in 3.2 innings pitched.
The Blue Hens return to Colonial Athletic Association action on Friday, March 29 at 3 p.m. at Bob Hannah Stadium as Delaware hosts Georgia State in a three-game weekend series.
“Both clubs are talented offensively, but I want to see quality in the pitching and defense parts of the game over the weekend, series” said Sherman. “We need to be consistent in all phase of the game and that is something we have shown over the last five games.”
Right-hander Chad Kuhl (4-1, 2.95 earned-run average) will take the mound for the Blue Hens in Friday's opener against the Panthers.
The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but wintery conditions forced the game to be played on Wednesday.
Delaware (15-8) now own a five-game winning streak while Saint Joseph's (10-13) drops to 4-12 in road games this season. The Blue Hens are in pursuit for their eighth Liberty Bell Classic and will host the second round on Tuesday, April 2 at 3 p.m. at Bob Hannah Stadium.
“The Liberty Bell Classic is something big with the eight Division I schools in the region competing,” said Delaware head coach Jim Sherman. “Of course we want to win the championship, but a win next week secures a chance to play at Citizen's Bank Park in the championship game and that is an exciting experience for the kids.”
Trailing SJU 1-0 in the first Inning, the Blue Hens scored the next 11 runs through the sixth inning. Down 11-1, the Hawks added two runs in the top of the seventh inning before UD tallied the final six runs of the game in the bottom half of the inning for a 17-3 win.
“They gave us some breaks with errors that put runners into scoring position,” said Sherman. “When we get those breaks, we need to capitalize on them like we did today.”
Delaware's offense collected 13 hits as every starter for the Hens pocketed a base hit in the victory. Tyler Powell, Ty Warrington and Brock Niggebrugge (bottom left) each accumulated two hits that led the UD hitters. Joe Giacchino, Powell and Niggebrugge each scored three times in the victory.
DJ Long collected a team-high three RBI on a bases-clearing, three-run double in the seventh inning. Jimmy Yezzo added a three-run double in the sixth inning and extend his on-base streak to 35 games over the last two seasons.
Blue Hen starter Gatto (1-1) earned his first win of the season after he collected a career-high eight strikeouts to go along with one earned run on four hits in six innings on the mound.
“Danny was very good after the first inning, once he got a feel for his pitches,” said Sherman. “He threw really well and that gave a boost to our pitching staff.”
Relievers Ken Fetchko and Eric Sawyer each threw an inning of hitless relief over the final two frames for the Blue Hens.
The Hawks' offense was led by Collin Forgey and Mike Muha, who collected four of the teams six hits with two hits apiece. Muha connected on a run-scoring double in the first inning.
Saint Joseph's starter Jack Stover (0-3) suffered the loss for the Hawks after the left-hander surrendered seven runs (five earned) on five hits, two walks and two strikeouts in 3.2 innings pitched.
The Blue Hens return to Colonial Athletic Association action on Friday, March 29 at 3 p.m. at Bob Hannah Stadium as Delaware hosts Georgia State in a three-game weekend series.
“Both clubs are talented offensively, but I want to see quality in the pitching and defense parts of the game over the weekend, series” said Sherman. “We need to be consistent in all phase of the game and that is something we have shown over the last five games.”
Right-hander Chad Kuhl (4-1, 2.95 earned-run average) will take the mound for the Blue Hens in Friday's opener against the Panthers.
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
INF
/ BaseballConversation With: John Schneider - Toronto Blue Jays Manager
Thursday, June 15
Built To Win: Sky's The Limit - Chris Grome
Wednesday, April 26
Highlight: Baseball vs. Charleston - 4/2/23 Series
Tuesday, April 04
Highlight: Baseball vs. Hofstra
Tuesday, March 14
