University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware Baseball Hosts Delaware State, UMass Lowell in Bob Hannah Invitational this Weekend
3/4/2016 6:24:00 PM | Baseball
• Game 1 Live Stats
• Game 2 Live Stats
NEWARK, Del. -- It took a year and an extra day, but the inaugural Bob Hannah Baseball Invitational will finally get underway this Saturday morning when the University of Delaware baseball squad hosts downstate foe Delaware State and America East contender UMass Lowell in the two-day, four-game event at Bob Hannah Stadium.
The tournament, named for the former Blue Hen head coach and Hall of Famer, began last year but the tournament was wiped out due to freezing temperatures. This year's event was scheduled to begin on Friday but that too was canceled due to cold and snow.
UMass Lowell (2-2) and Delaware State (0-9) will begin the tournament on Saturday, March 4 with a game at 11 a.m. followed by Delaware (4-3) hosting UMass Lowell in the nightcap at 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, Delaware will play two games as the Hens host UML at 11 a.m. and Delaware State at 2:30 p.m.
As it is throughout the season at Bob Hannah Stadium, admission will be free for all four games this weekend. Fans can also follow the games pitch-by-pitch online via live stats at the Delaware Athletics website, www.bluehens.com, and clicking on the baseball schedule page.
The tournament honors all-time Blue Hen great Bob Hannah, who guided the Blue Hens for 36 years between 1965-2000 and led the team to 1,053 wins, 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, 22 conference titles, and a berth in the 1970 College World Series. Hannah, who still resides in Newark and attends UD games, is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, and the University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame. The stadium that bears his name was renovated and re-dedicated during the 2014 season.
Delaware is coming off a big win on Tuesday as the Blue Hens recovered from an early deficit to down Big 10 contender University of Maryland 12-7. Delaware banged out 16 hits and two home runs against a team that was ranked No. 28 in last week's USA Today Coaches poll and has advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals each of the past two seasons.
The Hens, No. 2 in the Colonial Athletic Association with a .292 team batting average, are led by left fielder Jordan Glover (.448) and center fielder Kevin Mohollen (.419). Sophomore Ron Marinaccio (2-0, 1.64 ERA) will take the mound Saturday against UMass Lowell while Burk FitzPatrick and Brandon Walter will pitch on Sunday.
In the opener, Delaware State will be looking for its first win of the season after a tough start that has seen the Hornets outscored 98-17 while batting just .213 as a team. The Hornets, coming off a 20-4 setback at Navy on Wednesday, lost four to Gardner-Webb and three to Fairfield earlier this season. Delaware State is led offensively by Sam Barber (.278) and Todd Henry (.263). Pitcher Lane DeLeon (0-1, 6.48) is expected to start Saturday's game.
UMass Lowell, a newcomer to the NCAA Division I ranks and a contender in the America East Conference which once housed the Blue Hens, enters the tournament with a 2-2 record with two wins over Nicholls State and a pair of 4-2 losses to then No. 17 Mississippi State.
The River Hawks, who lead the AEC in team earned run average (3.44), will open with Andrew Ryan (1-0, 1.29 ERA) on the mound vs. Delaware State and Steve Xirinachs (0-1, 3.60 ERA) on the hill vs. Delaware. UML is led offensively by Steve Passatempo (.471, 3 HR, 11 RBI) and Joe Consolmagno (.400, 2 RBI).
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129
