University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware Baseball Drops CAA Weekend Series to Old Dominion Behind a 4-3 Loss at Bob Hannah Stadium
4/28/2013 7:00:00 PM | Baseball
Delaware (27-16, 12-9 CAA), which won Friday's matchup with the Monarchs before dropping a 7-3 decision on Saturday, has lost three-straight weekend series and six of its last seven games while Old Dominion improves to 23-21 overall and 13-11 in the conference.
The Monarchs seized a 4-1 lead over the Blue Hens through five and a half innings. In the bottom of the fifth, Delaware plated two runs on two-out RBI singles by Jimmy Yezzo and Nick Ferdinand and brought the Blue Hens within a run, 4-3.
Over the final three frames, Delaware had the game-tying run in scoring position but could not get the crucial hit before the final out was made in the ninth inning.
“I believe in our guys, but we are just in a bit of a down cycle,” said Delaware head coach Jim Sherman. “Today was a bit of a push day, but Old Dominion came out on top in key situations."
The Blue Hens outhit the Monarchs, 10-9, in the loss as Yezzo, Ferdinand, and Ty Warrington led the UD bats with two hits apiece.
Yezzo got the Hen offense going and extended his hitting streak to 10 games with an opposite-field solo home run over the left-field wall in the bottom of the fourth inning. He continues to lead the country with a .447 batting average as the junior first baseman now leads in all three categories for the Triple Crown in the CAA with 12 home runs and 58 RBI.
“He's having a great year and is pretty special,” said Sherman about Yezzo's offensive year.
Blue Hen starter Matt Soren (3-3) surrendered four earned runs on eight hits, three walks and eight strikeouts in 7.1 innings pitched for his third loss of the season. Jake Clark tossed 1.2 scoreless innings with one hit and one strikeout for his eighth-straight scoreless appearance out of the bullpen for the Hens.
PJ Higgins, who went 3-for-4 with one double, one triple and one run scored, led the Monarchs' offense. Jordan Negrini also collected his third home run of the season, a solo shot over the left-field fence in the top of the fourth inning. Old Dominion starter Ryan Yarbrough (4-3) earned the victory for the Monarchs after the southpaw held the Blue Hens to three runs (one earned) on nine hits, one walk and six strikeouts in eight innings pitched.
With runners on the corners and two out in the bottom of the ninth inning, ODU reliever Jake Josephs (S, 1) eliminated the only batter he faced, earning his first save and securing the win for the Monarchs.
Delaware returns to action on Wednesday, May 1, as the Blue Hens travel to Rutgers for a non-conference contest at 3:00 p.m. at RU's Bainton Field. The Blue Hens will hand the ball to right-hander Dan Gatto (3-2, 3.75 earned-run average) for his seventh start of the season in the mid-week game against the Scarlet Knights.
“We are going up to Rutgers with the focus of playing cleaner baseball,” said Sherman. “Hopefully we show that on Wednesday and it prepares us for the weekend.”
