Late Blue Hens Rally Comes Up Just Short in Season Opener vs. Pittsburgh

Friday, February 17

Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee, Fla.

3:30 PM

University of Delaware

Pittsburgh

Late Blue Hens Rally Comes Up Just Short in Season Opener vs. Pittsburgh

2/17/2017 10:08:00 PM | Baseball

By: Delaware Athletics

• Boxscore

Jim Sherman. "We played well for seven of the nine innings. Unfortunately we had a few mental lapses in the fifth inning, where Pitt scored three times. I know our young club will bounce back well tomorrow (in games vs. Ohio State and Kansas State). Today proved this club will be very good and can compete with teams from any of the top conferences in the country."

The Blue Hens, who outhit Pitt 9-7, got off to a good start as the first three Delaware hitters reached base against Panthers starter Matt Pidich. After Kevin Mohollen was caught stealing following a leadoff walk, Baker poked a double down the left field line and later scored on a double to right field by Tierno for a 1-0 lead.

Delaware starter Brandon Walter held the Panthers scoreless over the first three innings before Pitt came back to take the lead for good, scoring on a wild pitch in the fourth inning and adding three runs in the fifth thanks to RBI singles by Caleb Parry and Yannni.

The two teams then traded zeros until Pitt added an insurance run in the eighth on another wild pitch.

Delaware will next return to the diamond tomorrow for a doubleheader against Ohio State (2:30 p.m.) and Kansas State (6 p.m.). Ohio State defeated Kansas State 6-3 earlier on Friday.

HEN SCRATCHINGS:
·      The loss snapped an eight-start unbeaten streak for Walter
·      Baker produced the 21st multi-hit game of his career in just 53 games
·      Delaware falls to 0-2 all-time against Pittsburgh.

AGATE:

Delaware.....100 000 002 - 3-9-1
Pittsburgh….000 130 01x - 5-7-0

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Andrew Stern | Anwstern@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-6519 | Cell: 914-589-9666