Ludman Helps Blue Hens Past William & Mary, 3-2

Saturday, April 6

7 p.m.

University of Delaware

10-19, 0

William & Mary

20-9, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
William & Mary	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	2	8	0
Delaware	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	X	3	6	2

4/7/2019 12:13:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

NEWARK, Del. – Sophomore Chris Ludman said it was one of the most fun games he'd ever pitched in. Head Coach Jim Sherman couldn't help but smile seeing the past and present of Delaware baseball together.

That's what Saturday night was at Bob Hannah Stadium as the Blue Hens pulled out a thrilling 3-2 win over the Tribe of William & Mary in front of the largest crowd of the year in the second ever night game at the stadium.

"This has just been a really special past two nights and tonight was truly what Delaware baseball is all about. From having Coach Hannah here to throw out the first pitch to seeing all of the guys who wore this Delaware uniform for so long and then to win the game in the fashion we did, it was really a memorable night," Sherman said.

Ludman was outstanding on the mound for the Blue Hens, allowing just two earned runs in 8.1 innings of work. His ERA of his last six starts is just 3.63 and he has walked just four batters in his past 35 innings of work.

"To have all the alumni out and just to be able to pitch under the lights here, it was awesome. It was honestly probably one of the most fun games I've ever been involved with," Ludman said. "This is why we all come to Delaware to play in those types of games with a great crowd and in a tight conference game, tonight was what it's all about for us as players."

Six different Blue Hens had hits in the contest with Zack Miller and Vinny Vaccone collecting the crucial RBIs. Freshman Joseph Carpenter extended his streak to 21 consecutive games reaching base safely.

"We continue to talk about how good pitching can really set the tone for a team and that's what we've seen over the past few games. Ludman was terrific tonight and competed and allowed our offense to find a groove and get comfortable in order to come up with the big hits. It was great to see Vinny and Zack come up with the big hits as they're big parts of our success moving forward," Sherman added.

After having Coach Hannah on hand to throw out the first pitch, the hurlers would take over, allowing just four baserunners total in the first four innings of the contest.

William & Mary would threaten in the top of the fifth, but Vaccone would gun down a runner trying to go home to help keep the Tribe off the board.

The Tribe would nearly get the game's first run in the top of the seventh after a leadoff double, but a missile from Austin Colmery in right field and a great tag by Miller behind the plate kept the game scoreless.

That is until the bottom of the seventh when Jordan Hutchins and Carpenter laced back-to-back singles to lead off the frame. Four pitches later, Vaccone ripped a single through the right side of the infield to plate Hutchins. Two batters later, Miller launched a deep drive off the left field wall to score two more and give the Blue Hens a 3-0 cushion.

W&M would plate one in the eighth and threaten in the ninth, loading the bases on two occasions, but Winston Allen came out of the pen two get the final two outs and help secure the series victory.

Up Next

Delaware and the Tribe will battle in the finale of the three-game set on Sunday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium. Game time is set for 1 p.m.