University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens Host First-Time foe Siena For Weekend Three-Game Set
4/23/2016 1:43:00 AM | Baseball
Delaware (22-15) vs. Siena (12-23)
DATES & TIMES:
Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 12 noon (Doubleheader/9 innings/7 innings)
Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 1 p.m.
LOCATION: Bob Hannah Stadium, Newark, Del.
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Live stat links will be available via www.bluehenstats.com.
ONLINE 
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STORY LINE
The University of Delaware, fresh off an overpowering 7-0 victory over neighborhood rival Wilmington on Wednesday, will look to keep that momentum going this weekend as the Blue Hens take a weekend off from Colonial Athletic Association play to take on Siena College in the first-ever meeting between these two schools on the baseball diamond. The teams will play a doubleheader Saturday, with a nine-inning first game and seven-inning second game, and will close the series Sunday at 1 p.m. with a single game.
LAST TIME OUT
When it comes to first career starts, it doesn't get much better than this. University of Delaware sophomore right-hander Nick Spadafino made his first career start a memorable one Wednesday afternoon as he spun a two-hit complete game shutout to lead the Blue Hen baseball team to a 7-0 victory over local rival Wilmington University on a glorious sunny spring day at Bob Hannah Stadium.
After making his first 35 career appearances out of the bullpen, Spadafino moved into the starting role and was brilliant. He dominated the Wildcats all day, allowing only a second inning double and a ninth inning single and no runner reached third base.
He walked just two batters and struck out a career-high eight to improve to 4-2 on the season. He was also helped by three double plays, including one in the ninth inning. The pitching gem was the first complete game shutout for a Delaware hurler since Chad Martin - now a New York Yankees farmhand - pitched a two-hitter in a 4-0 win over Fairfield on Mar. 16, 2014 in Bel Air, Md.
While Spadafino was mowing down the Wildcats, Delaware's bats were also getting the job done. The Hens banged out 10 hits on the day as Tierno matched a career-high by knocking in four runs, shortstop James Meeker went 3 for 3 and scored twice from the nine hole, and designated hitter Doug Trimble launched his fifth home run of the season to deep right center to lead off the sixth inning.
WEEKEND PITCHING MATCHUPS
Saturday (Game 1): Delaware - #31 Ron Marinaccio (So., RHP, 6-2, 3.93 ERA) vs. Siena - #42 Tommy Miller (Fr., LHP, 2-6, 5.56 ERA)
Saturday (Game 2): Delaware - #32 Brandon Walter (Fr., LHP, 3-3, 3.31 ERA) vs. Siena - TBA;
Sunday: Delaware - #24 Kyle Hinton (Fr., RHP, 2-1, 4.97 ERA) vs. Siena - TBA
• C/IF Nick Tierno has now been on base in 20 straight games and is 20 of his last 42 (.476) at the plate over the last 11 games.
• Delaware ranks in the NCAA I Top 50 in batting average (.301/41st), runs scored (7.1/37th), home runs (.89 pg/39th), and slugging pct. (.450/38th).
• OF Kyle Baker ranks No. 3 in the CAA in batting (.393) while Tierno is No. 7 (.365).
• OF Jordan Glover is No. 2 in the CAA in doubles (17), No. 3 in RBI (38), and No. 6 in stolen bases (12).
• Longtime UD athletics & recreation staffer Jim Kaden, who has served at the University for 19 years and is currently assistant director of the UD Ice Arenas & Outdoor Pool, is a product of the Siena baseball program. He was a four-year catcher (1990-93), team captain in 1993, a two-time MAAC All-Academic selection, and ranks among the school career leaders in triples (8) and stolen bases (27-31).
SERIES INFORMATION
First ever meeting between these two schools in baseball. Jim Sherman
• Siena: Tony Rossi (Ithaca '89) is in his 47th season at Siena (836-1,009-6). He has the second longest tenure of any current NCAA I head coach behind Augie Garrido of Texas.
SIENA NOTES
• Siena (12-23), a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, is looking to snap a two-game losing streak that includes losses of 6-5 at Central Connecticut on Tuesday and 9-6 at home to Holy Cross on Thursday.
• The Saints are 7-5 in league play and continue to get back on track after starting the season 0-11.
• Siena is led offensively by Jordan Bishop (.331, 43-130, 25 runs, 22 RBI, 6 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR); Joe Drpich (.301, 41-136, 18 runs, 34 RBI, 10 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR); Alex Tuccio (.293, 12-41, 3 runs, 5 RBI, 2 2B, 1 SB); and Fred Smart (.286, 28-98, 12 runs, 16 RBI, 6 2B, 6 HR, 1 SB)
• Siena leads the MAAC in home runs (23), is No. 4 in the MAAC in batting (.255), and No. 6 in scoring (4.8).
• Joe Drpich and Fred Smart have combined for 13 home runs and lead the MAAC in that category and Drpich is No. 2 in RBI (34).
