University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Saint Joseph's
Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short, Delaware Drops Tight Game to Saint Joseph's 7-6
4/22/2015 7:26:00 PM | Baseball
Box Score
NEWARK, Del. – Despite a rally in the ninth inning, the University of Delaware baseball team was unable to overcome a four-run seventh inning from Saint Joseph's, Wednesday as the Blue Hens fell to the Hawks 7-6 in a non-league battle at Bob Hannah Stadium.
Jim ShermanBoth teams exchanged blows early, but Delaware (15-15) used a three run fifth inning to seize its first lead of the game. The UD scoring was aided by an error by Saint Joseph's shortstop Matt Maul on a routine groundball off the bat of Norm Donkin.
Maul's throwing error allowed two runs to score and Donkin to advance to third on what could have been an inning-ending double play. Diaz Nardo then hit a sacrifice fly to score Donkin and give the Hens a 5-3 lead.
The Hawks then retook the lead for good with a four-run seventh inning. Saint Joseph's posted six hits in the frame including a two-run double from Charlie Coghlin.
UD went scoreless in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, but Delaware launched a rally in the ninth.
After Calvin Scott popped out to leadoff the frame, Brock Niggebrugge got the momentum going for the Hens on his second extra-base hit of the game with a double off the left field wall.
Following a Joe Giacchino groundout, Zach Lopes drove in Niggebrugge on an infield single to cut the Hawks lead to one. Donkin then walked to put the tying run in scoring position with two outs and Diaz Nardo coming to the plate. Nardo, however, was unable to send the game to extras and popped out to the catcher to end the game.
Saint Joseph's (14-19) peppered the Blue Hens with 16 hits during the game and used eight pitchers to seal the win.
Coghlin led the Hawks with four hits, while three Saint Joseph's batters notched a team-high two RBI in the win.
Greg Olenski, Lopes, Donkin and Niggebrugge led the Blue Hens with two hits each in the game and Niggebrugge scored a game-high three runs.
Delaware will return to Bob Hannah Stadium this weekend as the Hens host William & Mary for a three-game series beginning Friday at 3 p.m.
HEN SCRATCHINGS
· Saint Joseph's has now won five of the last six meetings vs. Delaware, but the Hens lead the all-time series 46-24.
· The Blue Hens and Hawks will have a rematch at Saint Joseph's on May 5.
· Wednesday's contest was delayed at the start for 45 minutes because of thunderstorms in the Newark area.
· Niggebrugge is now riding an eight-game hitting streak.
· Lopes has hit safely in 21 of the last 23 games.
· Gary Jones recorded his sixth double of the season.
· Kevin Milley got the start for the Blue Hens and the southpaw allowed three earned runs on seven hits in five innings.
· Scott Zimmer was credited with his second loss of the season.
· Nick Spadafino continued his strong pitching out of the bullpen as the freshman pitched the final 1.2 innings, surrendered just one hit, and struck out three.
AGATE
Saint Joseph's..........011 010 400 - 7 - 16 - 1
Delaware...................001 130 001 - 6 - 10 - 0
D: Milley, Hornich (6), Zimmer (7), Vila (7), Spadafino (8); SJU: Ponto, Holcomb (4), Kelly (5), Morella (6), Pallante (7), Veeder (7), Manion (8), Aungst (9); DP: D - 1, SJU - 1; LOB: D - 7, SJU - 13; 2B: Boyd (SJU), Stafford (SJU), Kancylarz (SJU); Coghlin 2 (SJU) Giacchino (D), Jones (D), Niggebrugge (D); 3B: Niggebrugge (D); SB: Brue (SJU), Donkin (D), Niggebrugge (D); WP: Morella (1-0); LP: Zimmer (0-2); Sv: Aungst (1); Attendance: 84.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Joe Wirth | jwirth@udel.edu (email) | 302-831-6519 (office) | 484-883-2804 (cell)
