University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Elon (CAA Tournament)
Blue Hens Drop Heartbreaker to Elon 7-6 in Game One of CAA Tournament
5/20/2015 9:33:00 PM | Baseball
Box Score
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – The University of Delaware controlled Wednesday's game for eight innings, but Elon launched an improbable ninth inning rally to steal the win from the Blue Hens by a 7-6 margin in the first round of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament at The Ballpark at Patriots Point.
The Hens (23-23) came up with key two-out hits to build the lead in the first six innings. UD also received an impressive outing from sophomore Kevin Milley who pitched six innings and allowed just two earned runs on five hits.
Jim ShermanDelaware put up a run in the first, but Elon answered with two runs in the bottom half of the frame to take a 2-1 lead.
After Zach Lopes (bottom right) reached base on an error in the third inning, Norm Donkin doubled to right field to put runners on second and third with Greg Olenski coming to the plate.
Olenski took a first pitch strike before the game was delayed because of lightning in the area. A 5 ½ hour rain delay ensued before Olenski could face the second pitch of his at-bat.
Olenski ended up striking out, but Tyler Powell reached on an error later that inning that allowed two runners to
score and give the Hens a 3-2 advantage.
Delaware added a run in the fourth and sixth innings and carried a commanding four run lead into the ninth inning
Milley entered the final frame hoping to close out the victory for UD, but he allowed back-to-back singles to lead off the inning and was taken out of the contest.
Mahoney came on in relief and allowed a bunt single and a two-run base hit before he was pulled in favor of closer Luke Alicknavitch.
Alicknavitch threw a wild pitch that allowed Elon to score another run, which cut the lead to 7-6 and put the tying run 90 feet from home.
The senior threw two pitches that appeared to be strike three to Elon's Austin Leeney, but the umpire called them balls and Leeney was eventually walked.
Lefty Danny Lynch came to the plate for the Phoenix and Alicknavitch was pulled for southpaw Colman Vila. Leeney then stole second base before Lynch roped a ball to the gap to win the game for Elon (25-27).
Delaware will face a quick turnaround as the Hens take on the loser of Thursday's Northeastern-William & Mary contest. The Huskies and Tribe square off at 10 a.m. with the loser taking on the Blue Hens at 1:30 p.m.
HEN SCRATCHINGS
· The rain delay altered scheduling as now four games will be played Thursday and Friday.
· Ron Marinaccio got the start for the Hens, but did not come back to the mound after the rain delay and only pitched two innings.
· Elon now leads the all-time series with Delaware 5-4.
· Seven UD batters posted one hit, while Lopes, Donkin, Joe Giacchino,and Calvin Scott supplied one RBI each.
· Four Elon batters posted two-hit games, while Lynch, Chris King, and Ryan Cooper each tallied two RBI for the Phoenix.
· Wednesday marked Elon's first CAA Tournament game.
· Elon will face top-seeded College of Charleston Thursday.
· Lopes registered two stolen bases in the defeat.
· Alicknavitch took the loss for the Blue Hens, while Elon's Sean Byrnes was credited with the win.
AGATE
Delaware....103 101 000 - 6 - 7 - 2
Elon............200 000 005 - 7 - 11 - 2
D: Marinaccio, Milley (3), Mahoney (9), Alicknavitch (9), Vila (9); E: Beaulac, Byrnes (3); LOB: D - 5, E - 11; DP: E - 1; 2B: Giacchino (D), Donkin (D), King (E); HR: Cooper (E); SB: Lopes 2 (D), Leeney (E); WP: Byrnes (2-1); LP: Alicknavitch (1-2).
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Joe Wirth | jwirth@udel.edu (email) | 302-831-6519 (office) | 484-883-2804 (cell)
