Delaware Baseball Splits Opening Day Doubleheader With 3-1 Win Over West Virginia

Saturday, February 15

Charleston, S.C.

11:00 AM

University of Delaware

Virginia Tech (at The Citadel)

Delaware Baseball Splits Opening Day Doubleheader With 3-1 Win Over West Virginia

2/15/2014 9:00:00 PM | Baseball

By: Delaware Athletics

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The University of Delaware baseball team spilt its season opening doubleheader at the Citadel's Homewood Suites Tournament at Joseph P. Riley Park Saturday.

Jim Shermanabout the first game. "We played well at times and received some good pitching, even though the score doesn't indicate it. Not getting outside to face live pitching surely showed."

In the nightcap, West Virginia (0-2) dropped its second consecutive contest as Delaware topped the Mountaineers 3-1 to earn its first victory of the 2014 campaign.

Both Delaware and West Virginia went scoreless through five and a half innings, but the Mountaineers would cash the first run of the contest in the bottom of the sixth to take a 1-0 lead.

Delaware answered in the top of the seventh when junior catcher Ty Warrington doubled to left center field to score Donkin and Tyler Powell (above right) Donkin reached base on a fielder's choice while Powell, who pinch-hit for designated hitter Mottle, received a free pass when he was hit by a pitch.

In Delaware's next at bat, Sherman signaled for a suicide squeeze, and senior first baseman Jake Clark executed it perfectly to score Warrington and put the Hens up 3-1.

Delaware starting right-handed pitcher Dan Gatto (at left) went 6.2 innings with four strikeouts and allowed just one earned run and nine hits to register the first win of his senior year. Luke Alicknavitch entered the game in the bottom of the seventh and went 2.1 innings with four strikeouts to earn the save.

Delaware will conclude play Sunday morning against No. 8/20 ranked Louisville. The Hens will throw senior left-handed pitcher Brandon Hinkle.

“Great effort from Gatto tonight," said Sherman. "He was a great example of how to pitch using all his pitches. Warrington had a big two-run double while Giacchino and Travalini made two outstanding catches in the outfield. Alicknavtich came in to pitch a great last 2.1 innings to get his first collegiate save.”

HEN SCRATCHINGS
· Delaware picked up its fourth win in program history over WVU.
· Donkin registered three hits in his first day of NCAA Division I action.
· Warrington tallied the game-winning RBIs against the Mountaineers
· Gatto improves his career record to 10-9
· Junior Brock Niggebrugge has now started in 115 consecutive contests
· The Hens totaled 11 hits over the two games

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Sunday, Feb. 16 – Delaware vs. No. 8/20 Louisville at The Citadel – 10 a.m.