University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Elon (Alumni Day)
Patten's Monster Day Helps Blue Hens Gain CAA Doubleheader Split with Elon
5/7/2016 4:51:00 PM | Baseball
NEWARK, Del. -- Thanks to the big bat of freshman first baseman Nick Patten, the University of Delaware baseball team earned a split with Elon in the team's Colonial Athletic Association doubleheader Saturday at Bob Hannah Stadium.
Patten broke out of a 2 for 19 slump in a big way as he knocked in nine runs thanks to two home runs and a double as Delaware downed Elon 9-3 in the nightcap after dropping a tough 7-6 decision in the opener.
The two teams will close out their three-game weekend set with a Mother's Day special Sunday at 1 
p.m. The split moved Elon's record to 24-24 (13-9 CAA) on the season.
Delaware (28-19, 6-11 CAA) salvaged a split in the twinbill thanks to the victory in the nightcap. Freshman lefthander Brandon Walter was outstanding on the mound as he allowed just two earned runs and five hits and struck out seven batters in seven innings to improve to 5-3. Kevin Milley and Colman Vila then finished out the victory.
Two big hits made all the difference for the Blue Hens as Kevin Mohollen's bases-loaded triple brought home three runs in the second inning and Patten's mammoth grand slam to left field in the seventh increased the margin to 9-1.
The Hens finished the game with nine hits as Kyle Baker, Jordan Glover (below right/photo by Jeff Fannon), and Diaz Nardo each collected two safeties. Nardo's first inning RBI single gave Delaware a 1-0 lead.
The Blue Hens lost a heartbreaker in the opener as Elon scored five runs in the sixth and won the 
game with a seventh inning home run for a 7-6 victory.
Delaware, which had a two-game win streak snapped, had the chance to win it in the bottom of the ninth but a long drive to deep centerfield by Glover with two out and a runner on was caught at the warning track.
Elon, which extended its winning streak to three games, scored five runs in the sixth to take a 6-2 lead, and after Delaware tied it up with four of its own in the bottom of the frame, got the game-winner on a solo home run by Kyle Jackson in the seventh inning.
Patten broke out of a 2 for 19 slump in a big way as he went 2 for 4 with five RBI, bringing home two runs with a double in the second and three with a home run as part of the four-run sixth.
Elon designated hitter CJ Young went 3 for 4 with an RBI and catcher Austin Leeney knocked in two runs.
HEN SCRATCHINGS:
• Patten's five RBI game in the opener was a Delaware season-high and most by a UD player since Nick Liggett and Zach Lopes each had five RBI in a win over William & Mary on Apr. 25, 2015
• Patten's grand slam was the second this year for the Hens and first since Nick Tierno's bases-loaded shot vs. Binghamton on March 11
• Elon was making its first trip ever to Newark. The series is now tied at 5-5 since the first meeting in 1910
• Delaware honored nearly 30 former UD baseball standouts as part of Alumni Day. The alums were recognized prior to the first game and each threw a ceremonial first pitch to a current member of the Blue Hens
• Hens are now 18-10 at home this season while Elon moved to 6-9 on the road
• Glover had three stolen bases on the day to up his team-leading total to 20, the most by a UD player since Brandon Menchaca had 28 in 2006
• Delaware's 28 wins are the most by the Blue Hens since the 2013 season
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129
