Blue Hens Fall To Stetson, 4-3, in Season Opener

Friday, February 18

Deland, Fla.

3:00 PM

University of Delaware

0-1

Stetson

1-0

Delaware

Stetson

2/18/2022 6:24:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

DELAND, Fla. – Stetson leftfielder Nick DiPonzio delivered a bases loaded walkoff single in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Hatters defeated Delaware, 4-3, during both teams' season opener Friday afternoon in the Hatter Classic.

Stetson loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the eighth inning, before Blue Hen reliever Mike Biasiello worked out of the jam. He retired Trae Harmon on a shallow flyball to left, struck out Yohann Dessureault swinging and got Jakob Bullard to fly out to center to keep the game knotted at 3-3.

However Christian Pregent and Banks Griffith each singled with one out in the ninth, and following a lineout, Kyle Ball was hit by a pitch to load the bases. DiPonzio then stroked a single down the rightfield line, driving home pinch runner Dylan Brazil with the winning run.

Stetson opened the scoring in the bottom of the second on an RBI groundout by Bullard and a sacrifice fly by Connor Kehl, before Delaware got on the board in the fourth when Jake Dunion singled and came around to score on an RBI double by Joseph Carpenter.

The Hatters got the run back in the bottom of the frame on a sacrifice fly by Dessureault, while the Blue Hens pulled even in the fifth when John Weglarz delivered a two-run single to drive home Aidan Kane and Bryce Greenly. The game remained tied until the bottom of the ninth when Stetson pushed across the game-winner.

Blue Hen starting pitcher Chris Ludman allowed three runs on six hits while striking out five in seven innings of work, before Biasiello gave up one run on four hits in the final two frames. Greenley and Carpenter each finished 2 for 4 at the plate while Weglarz, Dunion, Kane and JJ Freeman added a hit apiece.

Delaware returns to action on Saturday when the Blue Hens face Manhattan at 12 noon.

Jim Sherman
"This was a tough opener to lose. We played decent today, but we've got to learn how to win those games early in the year and I believe this group will. We received a great performance out of Chris Ludman today; I'm really proud of his start."

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