University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Northeastern
Blue Hens Drop Both Games in CAA Doubleheader with Northeastern
3/29/2015 1:50:00 PM | Baseball
Game One Box Score/Game Two Box Score
BROOKLINE, Mass. – The University of Delaware baseball team suffered their third and fourth conference losses Sunday as the Blue Hens were swept in a doubleheader at the hands of Northeastern in a pair of Colonial Athletic Association matchups.
"We did not play well as a team, except for our pitching this weekend," said University of Delaware head coach Jim Sherman. "I hope this will surely make our guys want to better their competitiveness in all areas and understand for us to be a better club, we need all of our seniors to be at their best."
In game one, the Huskies drew first blood with a run in the first and took control of the contest in the fourth inning when Pat Madigan hit a two-run home run to give Northeastern a 3-0 advantage.
The Huskies (10-14, 3-3 CAA) added another run in the fifth before the Blue Hens (9-9, 2-4 CAA) put together a rally. The Hens only managed two hits through the first five innings, but were able to put some pressure on the Huskies in the sixth inning. Three of the first four UD batters got on base in the inning before Calvin Scott drew a bases loaded walk to score Norm Donkin.
Gary Jones then singled in another run before Joe Giacchino earned Delaware's second bases loaded walk of the inning to cut the Northeastern lead to 4-3. With the tying run just 90 feet away, Zach Lopes was unable to get a hit and the UD threat was extinguished.
Northeastern scored another run in the bottom of the sixth and the Blue Hens went scoreless in the seventh to end the game.
Chad Martin got the start for the Blue Hens and the sophomore gave up four earned runs on seven hits in six innings of work. The righty struck out seven on the day, but was credited with his second loss of the season.
Diaz Nardo and Donkin led UD with two hits each in the losing effort, while Nolan Lang led the Huskies with a pair of hits.
In game two, the Blue Hens were unable to hold on to an early four-run lead as Northeastern rallied late to defeat Delaware 5-4.
After both squads went scoreless in the first two innings, Delaware took command of the game with four runs in the third. The inning was highlighted by a two-RBI double from Gary Jones and an RBI single from Nardo. UD posted four of their five hits in the frame.
Northeastern scored two runs in the third inning and added another in the seventh to close the gap.
After Taylor Mahoney shut down the Huskies in the eighth, Northeastern put together a rally off Mahoney and UD closer Luke Alicknavitch in the ninth inning.
Mahoney recorded the first two outs with relative ease, but after allowing a hit, Alicknavitch came into the game. The righty surrendered a walk to the first batter he faced and allowed Michael Foster to tie the game on an RBI single.
After an intentional walk, Eric Sawyer came on in relief with two runners on base. The first batter Sawyer faced was Cam Hanley, who knocked a single off the southpaw to drive in the game-winning run for the Huskies.
Freshman Ron Marinaccio got the start for UD and put up another strong performance. The reigning CAA Pitcher of the Week allowed three runs on five hits in seven innings. Marinaccio struck out seven and earned a no-decision.
Delaware will return to action Tuesday as the Blue Hens host Lehigh in the consolation round of the Liberty Bell Classic at Bob Hannah Stadium. First pitch between the Hens and Mountain Hawks is scheduled for 3 p.m.
HEN SCRATCHINGS
· Delaware has not won a series at Northeastern since 2007.
· Northeastern last swept the Blue Hens in 2009.
· Diaz Nardo extended his hitting streak to 10 games, while Zach Lopes' 10 game hitting streak was snapped.
· Game two marked just the second outing this year where Luke Alicknavitch surrendered a run.
· Gary Jones' double in the third inning was the only extra-base hit for Delaware in game two.
· The Blue Hens are now 2-3 in games decided by one run this season.
Game One
Delaware................000 003 0 - 3 - 8 - 1
Northeastern..........100 211 X - 5 - 7 - 0
D: Martin; N: Hunt, Civale (6); LOB: D - 9, N - 4; DP: D - 1, N - 2; HR: Madigan (N); 3B: Lopes (D), Nardo (D); 2B: Burt (N), Lang (N); SB: Treff (N); WP: Hunt (2-3); LP: Martin (1-2); SV: Civale (2); Attendance: 55.
Game Two
Delaware............004 000 000 - 4 - 5 - 3
Northeastern......002 000 102 - 5 - 8 - 1
D: Marinaccio, Mahoney (8), Alicknavitch (9), Sawyer (9); N: Mulry, Lippert (7); LOB: D - 8, N - 6; HR: Scambia (N); 3B: Foster (N); 2B: Jones (D), Scambia (N); SB: Lopes (D); WP: Lippert (1-3); LP: Alicknavitch (1-1); Attendance: 50.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Joe Wirth | jwirth@udel.edu (email) | 302-831-6519 (office) | 484-883-2804 (cell)
