Blue Hens Come Back to Walk-Off Hofstra in Extras

Friday, April 16

Newark, Del.

7 p.m.

University of Delaware

6-9, 2-3

Hofstra University

9-10, 0-4

Hofstra

Delaware

Photo by: Sarah Boekholder

4/16/2021 11:39:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Aidan Riley the hero with a walk-off hit to end it in 10 innings

NEWARK, Del. – Freshman Aidan Riley drove a ball to right field that fell to score two runs to give the University of Delaware baseball team a series-opening, comeback extra-inning victory over Hofstra, 10-9, Friday night at Bob Hannah Stadium.

"I'm so pleased with this group of guys," said head coach Jim Sherman. "They're a group that never gives up and believes in each other and we saw that tonight. Of course Aidan (Riley) had the big hit, but so many guys stepped up tonight and we will need to carry that into the rest of the series."

Senior Vinny Vaccone had a 3-for-5 night with three RBI and three runs that included an inside-the-park home run to right field. He followed a lead-off single in the 10^th by freshman Aidan Kane with an RBI base-hit to make it a one-run game.

Graduate student Kyle Baker drew a walk before Riley had the winning knock to send the Blue Hens into a frenzy.

Junior Chris Ludman worked a strong 7.0 innings, only getting stronger as the game went on. He struck out seven, allowing seven earned runs, but none over his final three. He worked back-to-back 1-2-3 innings to close out his night.

Freshman Josh Venti came out of the bullpen, matching Ludman with seven punchouts in 3.0 innings of work, allowing no hits and only one walk.

Hofstra got on the board first, plating two runs in the second inning before Delaware came roaring back with four runs in the home half. Hofstra would score three unanswered over the next two frames to jump in front 7-4 through four.

Delaware cleaned things up and did not allow a run from the fourth through the ninth innings.

Senior Jack Goan had the big hit in the fifth to score junior Joseph Carpenter. Carpenter followed that up with a no-doubter to left field in the seventh inning to make it a one-run game. Vaccone tied it with an inside-the parker in the eighth to set up extra innings.

With the new extra-inning rule of starting a runner on second base, Hofstra was able to plate two runs in the top of the 10^th before Delaware answered with three in the home half.

The series continues between the Blue Hens and the Pride Saturday afternoon with two games on the schedule beginning at 1 p.m. at Bob Hannah Stadium.

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