University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens Host CAA Rival William & Mary for Three-Game Set
4/23/2015 3:31:00 PM | Baseball
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NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware baseball team will look to pick up ground in the Colonial Athletic Association standings this weekend as the Blue Hens host William & Mary for a three-game CAA series at Bob Hannah Stadium.
Jim ShermanThe Blue Hens (15-15, 4-8 CAA) dropped their last game to Saint Joseph's, but were victorious in their previous CAA game with a dramatic 10-8 victory over nationally-ranked College of Charleston on Sunday.
Greg Olenski leads the Blue Hens at the plate with a .434 batting average. The senior Academic All-American nominee also leads the team with nine doubles and has posted six two-baggers in his last eight games.
William & Mary (19-19, 9-6 CAA) currently sits in a tie for third place in the CAA standings with Elon. The Tribe has won five of their last six games including a three-game sweep of James Madison last weekend.
Charley Gould's .414 batting average is 10th in the country and the highest of any NCAA Division I catcher. The junior leads the CAA with 60 hits, 47 RBI, 11 home runs, and is second in the conference with 15 doubles.
Aaron Fernandez will get the start in game three for the Tribe and is one of the top pitchers in the CAA. The right-hander has a 3-2 record and his 2.78 ERA is the third lowest in the conference.
Adam Davis will start game one, while Ron Marinaccio will get the nod in game two for the Hens. Chad Martin will start the third and final game of the series Sunday.
HEN SCRATCHINGS
· Friday will be the 49th meeting between the Tribe and Blue Hens. William & Mary leads the all-time series 26-22 and defeated UD three times last season.
· Brock Niggebrugge has an eight-game hitting streak.
· Zach Lopes has hit safely in 21 of his last 23 games.
· Joe Giacchino is the only Blue Hen to start all 30 games this season.
· Three of Delaware's four CAA victories have come at Bob Hannah Stadium.
· UD has only won one series against William & Mary since 2007.
· William & Mary won the regular season CAA title last season before losing in the CAA Tournament Championship game to College of Charleston.
· Nick Spadafino has become a strong option out of the bullpen for the Blue Hens as the freshman has allowed just one earned run in his last four relief appearances.
· Marinaccio is second in the CAA with a 2.11 ERA.
· The 1970 Delaware baseball team will be honored before Saturday's game to commemorate the 45th anniversary of its College World Series appearance. See story HERE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Joe Wirth | jwirth@udel.edu (email) | 302-831-6519 (office) | 484-883-2804 (cell)
