Walter Strikes Out 11 in Blue Hens’ Series-Opening Win at UNCW

Friday, May 3

Wilmington, NC

6 p.m.

University of Delaware

18-27, 7-9

UNCW

23-25, 7-9

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

Walter Strikes Out 11 in Blue Hens’ Series-Opening Win at UNCW

5/3/2019 11:23:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

The senior records his fifth double-digit strikeout performance of the season and Bowren has a multi-RBI night to give the Blue Hens the victory

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Delaware baseball team used a quality start from junior Brandon Walter and some timely offense to make things even more interesting in the CAA Tournament race, defeating UNCW 7-5 on Friday night at Brooks Field.

After an hour and 20 minute weather delay, the Blue Hens (18-27, 7-9 CAA) opened the scoring in the top half of the third when senior Erik Bowren walked and sophomore Jordan Hutchins followed with a drive to right center that resulted in an RBI double to make it 1-0.

"I'm proud of the way our team didn't let the delay factor into how we played tonight," said head coach Jim Sherman. "This was a crucial game in the playoff race and we had a number of guys step up to make sure we started this series on the right foot."

The Seahawks (23-25, 7-9 CAA) responded in the home half, plating a run on two hits, but junior Brandon Walter limited the damage with a strikeout to end the inning.

The Delaware offense had Walter's back, putting up a three-spot in the fourth as all three runs scored with two outs. After two quick outs, freshman Zach Lesher drew a walk and classmate Austin Colmery followed with another base on balls to set the table. A UNCW error allowed senior Kevin Mohollen to reach and after a long battle at the dish, Bowren drove home a pair with a base hit to left. That would not be all for the Blue Hens as Mohollen would circle the bases, scoring on a passed ball to make it 4-1.

Bowren had just the one hit on the night in three trips, but scored a pair of runs while driving home two RBIs to boot.

Walter did what good pitchers do after a crooked number, retiring the Seahawks in order in the fourth and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the fifth to give the Blue Hens momentum.

Another UNCW blunder helped Delaware tack on two more in the sixth as Lesher opened the frame with a walk and Colmery legged out a bunt single before Lesher scored all the way from second on a wild pitch with Mohollen at the plate. The leadoff man brought home Colmery with a sacrifice fly and it was all Blue Hens at 6-1 through five and a half.

The Seahawks would not go away easily, scoring three unanswered between the sixth and the seventh, but Walter seemed to be just fine, striking out the side in the sixth as back-to-back doubles were the only blemishes in the inning.

Walter worked 7.0 innings with his fifth double-digit strikeout performance of the season, fanning 11 batters and scattering nine hits. He allowed just one free baserunner and four runs were his responsibility.

"That's just what we have come to expect with Brandon," Sherman said. "He battled on night long and gave did everything he had to do to make sure we won that ball game."

Delaware flashed some leather in the eighth after a leadoff walk set up a nifty double play before junior Derek Wakeley ran down a ball hit back off his leg and made the flip to first with his glove to end the inning. Three free base runners for Delaware in the top of the ninth and an infield single by junior Vinny Vaccone gave the Blue Hens some insurance heading to the bottom of the inning.

Wakeley punched out the first batter of the ninth and did allow a run in route to his fifth save of the season.

Freshman Joseph Carpenter extended his hitting streak to 24 games and on-base streak to 37, wasting no time with a base hit in the first and put together a 2-for-4 night with a walk.

Delaware's victory creates a three-way tie for fourth place in the conference as James Madison, UNCW and the Blue Hens are each 7-9 in CAA action. The top six teams will make the conference tournament.

The Blue Hens and Seahawks continue their three-game set on Saturday afternoon with first pitch slated for 2 p.m. at Brooks Field before Sunday's series finale at noon.