University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Lehigh
Young Bats and Arms Propel Delaware Past Lehigh, 5-3
3/31/2015 6:20:00 PM | Baseball
Box Score
NEWARK, Del. – Behind strong pitching from freshmen Colman Vila and Nick Spadafino, and a timely home run from redshirt freshman Diaz Nardo, the University of Delaware baseball team was able to defeat Lehigh 5-3, Tuesday in the consolation round of the Liberty Bell Classic at Bob Hannah Stadium.
With the win Delaware (10-9) snapped a four-game losing streak and extended their winning streak against the Mountain Hawks (5-17) to 10 games.
Jim ShermanVila made his first career start for the Blue Hens and the freshman allowed five hits in four innings, while striking out five. Lehigh scored two runs off the southpaw, but both were unearned.
Spadafino came on in relief for Vila in the fifth inning and the freshman kept the Lehigh bats at bay. The right-hander surrendered just two hits in three innings of work. Spadafino allowed just one runner to reach second base, struck out five, and recorded the first win of his collegiate career.
After UD scored a run in the first inning, Lehigh answered with two runs in the second. The Hens then tied the game at two runs apiece on an RBI single from Zach Lopes in the third inning.
The game remained tied until Nardo put the Blue Hens on top for good in the sixth inning with a two-run home run. The round-tripper extended Nardo's hitting streak to 11 games and he now leads UD with four home runs.
“A lot of the focus goes on the weekend games, but it is great to come out here and get a win in a weekday game,” said Nardo. “It was a great feeling to put the team ahead on my homer. The pitcher hung one up there, and I was able to put a good swing on it and take it over the left field wall.”
The Blue Hens will return to the diamond tomorrow as they make the short trip to La Salle to take on the Explorers. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
HEN SCRATCHINGS
· Six different Delaware hitters tallied one hit in the winning effort.
· Gary Jones and Nardo led the Hens with two RBI each
· After Eric Sawyer allowed the first two batters to reach base in the ninth, Luke Alicknavitch came on and got out of the jam to earn his fourth save of the season.
· James Bleming and Anthony Rinaldi registered a team-best two hits on the day for Lehigh.
· The Mountain Hawks outhit UD 10-6.
· Norm Donkin tallied two stolen bases in the win.
AGATE:
Lehigh...........020 000 001 - 3 - 10 - 3
Delaware......101 002 01X - 5 - 6 - 1
D: Vila, Spadafino (5), Sawyer (8), Alicknavitch (9); L: Washington, Fitz (6); LOB: D - 5, L - 9; DP: L - 1; 2B: Garzillo (L), Walshe (L), Donkin (D), Jones (D); 3B: Price (L); HR: Nardo (D); SB: Giacchino (D), Lopes (D), Donkin 2 (D), Rinaldi (L); WP: Spadafino (1-0); LP: Washington (0-1); Sv: Alicknavitch (4); Attendance: 96.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Joe Wirth | jwirth@udel.edu (email) | 302-831-6519 (office) | 484-883-2804 (cell)
