Blue Hens Fall 5-4 In Series Finale At Charlotte

Saturday, February 16

Charlotte, NC

2 p.m.

University of Delaware

0-3

Charlotte

3-0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Delaware	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	1	0	4	5	1
Charlotte	1	0	0	0	0	2	2	0	X	5	11	0

Photo by: Sam Roberts/Freeze Frame

2/16/2019 7:15:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Facing off against one of the top teams in the C-USA and a team that perennially contends for the NCAA postseason, the University of Delaware baseball team showed it can battle with them tooth-and-nail.

Saturday's series finale was once again and nailbiter with Charlotte pulling out a tough 5-4 win over the Blue Hens in a back-and-forth battle.

"It's always tough to open the season with three straight losses. Overall, I thought we played good enough to win today, but just couldn't get that big hit or couple quality pitches to shut down their two big innings," head coach Jim Sherman said.

Offensively, Zack Miller continued his strong weekend with two hits, including his first homerun of the 2019 season. Senior Kevin Mohollen had another hit and two RBIs for the Blue Hens.

On the mound, sophomore Chris Ludman had a solid start to his year, scattering seven hits and three runs over 5.1 innings of work, while striking out six. Freshmen Jack Dubecq and Justin Tomovich both made their collegiate debuts, tossing scoreless outings for Delaware.

"I thought Chris had a really nice start for us and gave us a chance to win the game and that's what you want out of your starter. It was good to get Dubecq and Tomovich their first taste of college ball and they threw really well," Sherman added. "I thought Miller, Mohollen and Chance DiFebbo all had good approaches and swung the bat well all weekend for us."

Charlotte started the game by manufacturing a run in the home half of the first to grab a quick 1-0 lead, but that's all the damage that Ludman would allow for the first five innings.

Ludman's work on the mound allowed the Blue Hens offense to settle in and that's exactly what they did in the fifth with the first two runners reaching. After a fielder's choice put runners on second and third with one out, Mohollen launched a double into right center to plate to and give Delaware the 2-1 lead.

The Blue Hens would add to that lead in the sixth when Miller blasted a homerun down the left field line to make it a 3-1 cushion.

As they did all weekend, Charlotte answered with two RBI singles in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at 3-3 after six complete. The 49ers would cash in again in the seventh with a two-run HR to grab a 5-3 advantage after seven.

Delaware would not go away quietly with DiFebbo and Jordan Hutchins both reaching to start the eighth. A sacrifice fly would plate one, but the 49ers bullpen was able to get out of the jam without further damage and preserve the 5-4 lead.

The Blue Hens would try to muster up a rally in the ninth, but would come up short, with Charlotte securing the 5-4 victory in the series finale.

Up Next

Delaware is back on the road next weekend when they travel to Lynchburg, Va. to take on Liberty University in a three-game set. Game times are set for 3 p.m. (Friday), 2 p.m. (Saturday) and 2 p.m. (Sunday).