Kane’s Walkoff Homer Lift Blue Hens Over No. 4 Notre Dame, Gives Sherman 800th Win

Sunday, February 20

Deland, Fla.

9:00 AM

University of Delaware

1-2

Notre Dame

2-1

Notre Dame

Delaware

Kane’s Walkoff Homer Lift Blue Hens Over No. 4 Notre Dame, Gives Sherman 800th Win

2/20/2022 12:40:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

DELAND, Fla. – Blue Hen leftfielder Aidan Kane drilled a walkoff homer in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Delaware baseball team posted a dramatic 5-4 win over fourth-ranked Notre Dame Sunday morning during the final day of the Hatter Classic.

The thrilling victory was the 800th career win for UD head coach Jim Sherman, and was the Blue Hens' first over a top-10 ranked opponent since a 7-3 verdict at No. 9 Arizona State on Feb. 25, 2011.

Delaware trailed 4-2 heading to the bottom of the sixth, before Joseph Carpenter worked a bases loaded walk and Kane drove home the tying run on a fielder's choice.

Blue Hen reliever Zach Klapak then tossed three hitless innings in his UD debut, setting up Kane's heroics in the bottom of the ninth. With one away he belted a pitch from Notre Dame's Caden Aoki over the rightfield fence, setting off the UD celebration.

Kane finished 2 for 4 at the plate with three RBI, while the homer was his fourth career longball as a Blue Hen. Jake Dunion and JJ Freeman also recorded a pair of hits on the day.

UD starting pitcher Joey Silan allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits in six innings of work, before Klapak only allowed three walks during the final three frames to pick up the victory.

The Irish scored single runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings, before Kane put the Blue Hens on the board in the bottom of the fifth by singling home Carpenter. Nick Vera then grounded out to second, driving home Freeman to make it a one-run game.

Notre Dame's Carter Putz delivered an RBI single in the top of the sixth, but Delaware pulled even in the bottom half and the game remained tied at 4-4 until Kane's walkoff blast.

Jim Sherman
"The 800 wins is a test of time in this business. I owe it all to the players and coaches that have been part of this great journey. The walkoff home run in the bottom of the ninth against a nationally-ranked team like Notre Dame was extra special!"

For the latest on the Delaware baseball program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter and Instagram @DelawareBASE, and like "Delaware Baseball" on Facebook.