University of Delaware Athletics
Gatto Shines on the Mound as Delaware Baseball Claims LBC Championship with 8-3 Triumph Over Villanova
4/16/2013 3:29:00 PM | Baseball
Delaware (25-10) claimed its eighth Liberty Bell Classic crown and first since 2010 and won for the 15th time in its last 17 outings. Villanova fell to 9-26 on the season and has now dropped seven of its last eight contests.
“We want to be known as the best team in the Delaware Valley and this win helps solidify our place in the region,” said Delaware head coach Jim Sherman. “This is something that is very special, but is only one step in our journey.”
The Blue Hens took an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning helped by Yezzo's ninth home run of the season, a two-run shot into the center field bullpen. Delaware added four runs over the middle three innings and extended its advantage to 7-2 into the seventh inning. In the top of the eighth UD added a final run on a Cameron Travalini sacrifice fly that plated Brock Niggebrugge and handed the Hens a six-run edge.
Gatto (3-1) earned the victory after the Dover native threw a career-high eight innings on the mound and held Villanova to three runs (two earned) on seven hits, three walks and seven strikeouts. He started all three games during the Liberty Bell Classic and posted a 2-0 record and a 1.88 ERA (4 ER/19.2 IP) and 18 strikeouts.
“Once he got into that groove in the third inning he really took off and pitched a great game,” said Sherman. “Gatto responded well on the bump with pitching coach Brian Walker, who called an amazing game.”
UD's offense hammered 16 base knocks in the victory. Joe Giacchino, Tyler Powell and Yezzo each had three-hit games for the Hens. Nick Ferdinand, Giacchino and Yezzo also added two runs scored in the game. Ferdinand pocketed his third triple of the season with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate. DJ Long extended his hitting streak to a season-high eight games while EJ Stoltzfus added a base hit that kept his hitting streak alive at seven games.
Eric Buckland closed out the ninth as the right-hander tossed a scoreless ninth inning with one hit and one strikeout.
The Wildcats tallied seven hits in the loss. Max Beermann led Villanova with three hits and accounted for two of the Wildcats' three runs with a pair of solo blasts in the second and eighth inning.
Villanova's Kyle MacLachlan (1-2) received the loss for the Wildcats after the righty surrendered four earned runs on seven hits and two walks in 3.1 innings pitched.
Delaware returns to CAA competition on Friday, April 19 at 3:00 p.m. when the Blue Hens travel to Hofstra for a three-game weekend series.
“Winning these mid-week games really helped us build steam all season,“ said Sherman. “Momentum is always important when heading into a conference series.”
Right-hander Chad Kuhl (5-2, 3.39 ERA) will take the mound in Friday's series opener for the Blue Hens against the Pride.
