University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens Open Liberty Bell Classic Tuesday at La Salle
3/26/2018 4:31:00 PM | Baseball
Delaware (12-9) at La Salle (5-16)
📅 Tuesday, March 27
🕖 3:00 p.m.
📍 Hank DeVincent Field – Philadelphia, Pa.
⚾️- RHP Joey Haass (0-0, 8.53 ERA) vs. James Kelly (0-1, 6.08 ERA)
🏆- Liberty Bell Classic (Quarterfinals)
📊- Live Stats
THE WEEKEND THAT WAS: Delaware is coming off a series victory over Towson this past weekend. The series, which was originally scheduled to be played at Towson, was moved to Newark due to last week's storm. The Blue Hens took the first two games of the series Saturday, winning the opener 6-3 and the middle game of the series 2-1. In the opener junior Kyle Hinton pitched six and one-third innings, allowing three runs (two earned). In the nightcap, freshman Billy Sullivan IV threw six shutout innings, striking out 10 batters. Delaware dropped the series finale 10-2 Sunday despite a pair of hits from Nick Patten.
GOING EXPLORING: La Salle enters Tuesday with a record of 5-16 this season under new head coach David Miller. The Explorers have lost three consecutive games and 12 of their last 13 games. This past weekend they opened up A-10 play at George Washington, dropping all three games. Ben Faso and Austin Constantini have been La Salle's best hitters this season, as Faso leads the team in average (.375), hits (33), RBI (13), doubles (6) and runs (14). Constantini is second on the team in average (.356) and leads the team in on-base (.443). On the mound, the Explorers have pitched to a 6.50 ERA. Tuesday's projected starter, James Kelly, has pitched to a 6.08 ERA in 13.1 innings. The righty has struck out 12 batters and walked eight.
LOOKING TO SNAP ANOTHER TITLE DROUGHT: Last May, Delaware made its first NCAA Regional since 2001. On Tuesday, the Blue Hens will play the Quarterfinals of the Liberty Bell Classic, looking for the programs first LBC title since 2013. The Blue Hens have won the most LBC titles (8) in tournament history.
SAME TOURNAMENT, SAME FOE: Delaware and La Salle are playing an LBC game at Hank DeVincent Field for the second consecutive season. The Blue Hens traveled to La Salle a year ago, falling 7-3 in the Semifinals. The Explorers are the defending Liberty Bell Classic Champions, as the team won its first LBC crown since 2006.
BOUNCE BACK: Delaware is 5-3 this season following a loss, and 4-1 in their last five games following a defeat. The Blue Hens are coming off a 10-2 defeat to CAA rival Towson that denied the Hens a series sweep.
MIDWEEK MANIA: The Blue Hens are currently 2-0 in mid-week contests this season. The Hens went 4-4 a season ago in mid-week games. Delaware defeated Maryland 7-1 back on 3/8 and completed the series sweep with a 7-6 victory on 3/13.
SULLIVAN RECEIVES SECOND CAA HONOR: Delaware freshman Billy Sullivan IV has earned Colonial Athletic Association Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced Monday. Coming off the most dominant outing of his young career, Sullivan IV (New Castle, Del./St Mark's HS) threw six shutout innings (career-high) allowing just three hits Saturday. The Delaware native struck out a career-high 10 batters, propelling the Blue Hens to a 2-1 series-clinching victory. Sullivan IV (New Castle, Del./St. Mark's HS) received his second CAA honor this season, as he was named CAA Rookie of the Week back on Feb. 20.
MEDIA INFORMATION: Contact: Andrew Stern | Anwstern@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-6519 | Cell: 914-589-9666
