University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
#22/#rv College of Charleston
Hens Post First Win vs. Ranked Opponent Since 2011, Defeat No. 22 Charleston 10-8
4/19/2015 5:06:00 PM | Baseball
Box Score
NEWARK, Del. – Behind power at the plate and clutch relief pitching, the University of Delaware baseball team defeated No. 22 College of Charleston, 10-8 Sunday in a thrilling Colonial Athletic Association contest at Bob Hannah Stadium.
Jim ShermanThe victory was Delaware's first over a ranked opponent since the Blue Hens beat then-No. 9 Arizona State, 7-3 in 2011.
For the third time this series, Charleston jumped out to an early lead over the Blue Hens (15-14, 4-8 CAA). The Cougars built a 3-0 advantage after three innings, but the UD bats exploded for six runs in the fourth inning to grab control of the contest.
The scoring was highlighted by an RBI double from Greg Olenski and a three-run home run from Norm Donkin to give the Hens a 6-3 lead.
“I was seeing the pitches really well off their pitcher today and I just timed it up right,” said 
Donkin (right). “He threw me fastball inside and I dropped my hands in and barreled it up.”
After going scoreless in the fifth inning, the Cougars (27-9, 13-2 CAA) tallied a run in the sixth and then added two more in the seventh to tie the game at six.
Charleston was primed to add more runs, but Nick Spadafino came into the game and was able to escape the jam.
“We had them down, but they are a very good team,” said Sherman. “The critical moment for us was when Spadafino came in and shut them down in the seventh inning to keep the game tied.”
The Charleston momentum did not last long. UD immediately answered with three runs in the bottom half of the seventh to retake the lead. The runs were scored on Olenski's second double of the game, a Ty Warrington sacrifice fly, and on a Joe Giacchino single.
The Blue Hens added another run in the eighth inning to give themselves a 10-6 margin, but Charleston would not go down without a fight in the ninth inning.
After Blake Butler led off the inning with a single off UD closer Luke Alicknavitch, Nick Pappas slammed a home run over the right field wall to cut the Blue Hen lead in half. Morgan Phillips followed the round-tripper with a single before Donkin made a spectacular catch in right field to rob Bradley Jones of an extra-base hit.
Following a single from Erven Roper and an intentional walk, Alicknavitch was able to strikeout Charleston's Alex Pastorious with the bases loaded to pick up his fifth save of the season and seal the 10-8 win for Delaware.
“It is awesome to beat a ranked team,” said Donkin. “You could tell they were hyped for the game because they want to maintain that national ranking and we were really hyped because we want to take down a ranked team. It was just a great college baseball game and it gives us the confidence to believe that we can beat anybody.”
Delaware will return to action Wednesday as the Blue Hens welcome Saint Joseph's to Bob Hannah Stadium. First pitch between the two local rivals is scheduled for 3 p.m.
HEN SCRATCHINGS
· The Delaware baseball team's B+ Heroes Colby Atkinson (right) and Shane Higgins threw out the first pitch of Sunday's game.
· The team has raised over $1500 for the foundation through the sales of its calendar.
· Donkin led the Hens with three RBI, while Olenski provided three hits and two RBI.
· Brock Niggebrugge has now hit safely in seven consecutive games.
· Chad Martin got the start for the Hens and the righty pitched 5.1 innings, while allowing four earned runs on four hits.
· Giacchino posted three hits in the winning effort.
· Sunday marked the first time Delaware had defeated Charleston since 1994.
· Delaware will resume its CAA schedule Friday as the Blue Hens begin a three-game set with William & Mary at Bob Hannah Stadium.
AGATE:
College of Charleston......021 001 202 - 8 - 11 - 2
Delaware.........................000 600 31X - 10 - 13 - 0
D: Martin, Mahoney (6), Spadafino (7), Alicknavitch (9); C: Arduini, McCutcheon (4), Henry (5), Detwiler (8), Love (9); DP; D - 1, C - 1; LOB: D - 9, C - 12; 2B: Wise (C), Pappas (C), Jones 2 (C), Olenski 2 (D); HR: Pappas (C), Donkin (D); SB: Giacchino (D); WP: Spadafino (2-0); LP: Henry (1-1); Sv: Alicknavitch (5); Attendance: 269.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Joe Wirth | jwirth@udel.edu (email) | 302-831-6519 (office) | 484-883-2804 (cell)
