University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware Baseball Team Set to Begin Fall Practice Sept. 18
9/11/2014 10:33:00 AM | Baseball
The Blue Hens, who finished fourth in the final CAA standings in 2014, return six of their top seven hitters including, second baseman Zach Lopes who earned first team All-CAA honors last season.
After clinching the No. 4 seed in last season's CAA Tournament, Delaware recorded a pair of victories over Northeastern sandwiched around an 11-4 defeat to William & Mary before being eliminated by UNCW.
Senior leadoff man Joe Giacchino, who led the Blue Hens in triples (5) and runs (39), and fellow senior Norm Donkin, who led the team in doubles (16) and hits (66), are among the top returnees to the Blue Hens lineup for the 2015 season
Although Delaware loses two of its top pitchers in Dan Gatto and Brandon Hinkle to graduation, the Blue Hens' pitching staff will be deep this upcoming season as many underclassmen were key contributors to the staff a season ago.
Redshirt sophomore Chad Martin will be the Blue Hens top returning starter. The Darnestown, Md. native was tied for the team lead with five wins, recorded a 5.35 ERA and had the lowest opponent batting average (.240) in 2014.
Sophomores Kevin Milley and John Geffre provided crucial depth to the pitching staff as freshmen last season and will assume bigger roles in the staff in 2015.
The UD bullpen will be led by senior standout Luke Alicknavitch. The right-hander led the Blue Hens last season with a 3.64 ERA and a team-high six saves.
The fall schedule will include 17 intrasquad scrimmages with the opener taking place on Sept. 20 at 11 a.m.
2014 University of Delaware Baseball Fall Schedule
Sept. 20 – 11 a.m.
Sept. 21 – 11 a.m.
Sept. 24 – 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 – 11 a.m.
Sept. 28 – 11 a.m.
Oct. 1 – 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 3 – 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 – 11 a.m.
Oct. 8 – 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 10 – 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 – 11 a.m.
Oct. 15 – 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 – 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 – 11 a.m.
Oct. 22 – 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 – 11 a.m.
Oct. 26 – 11 a.m.
