Blue Hens Explode for 17 Runs to Split First Day of NC State Invitational

Friday, February 25

Raleigh, N.C.

10:00 AM

University of Delaware

5-5

Bowling Green

5-1

Bowling Green

Delaware

Blue Hens Explode for 17 Runs to Split First Day of NC State Invitational

2/25/2022 8:08:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Bowling Green Box Score CCSU Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. – The University of Delaware softball team exploded for 17 runs in the nightcap to salvage a split of the opening day of the NC State Invitational. The Blue Hens dropped the opener to Bowling Green 6-5 before coming back in a big way for a 17-3 victory in five innings over Central Connecticut State. With the split of the day, UD improves to 6-5 on the season.

Game One: Bowling Green 6, Delaware 5

The Blue Hens hit three home runs, but could not rally in their weekend opener.

Hanna Garber led the offense with two hits, including her third home run of the season, and was on base three times while also stealing two bases. Kailey Christian and Morgan Olynyk both also homered. Brittney Mendoza and Halle Kisamore were both on base twice and stole a base.

Graceyn Frost started in the circle, striking out six while allowing four runs in 4.0 innings. Megan Stauffer gave up two runs in an inning and Emily Winburn fired 2.0 shutout innings with four strikeouts.

It was the Blue Hens that drew first blood, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first. Garber led off with a single and stole second and third. Two batters later, she crossed the plate on a Mendoza sacrifice fly. Kailey Christian quickly made it 3-0 with her first home run of the season, a shot over the left field fence that scored Kisamore.

Bowling Green answered right back with three runs in the top of the second on four two-out singles to knot the score 3-3. The Falcons took their first lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to make it a 5-3 game.

Garber led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run, her third in the past two games, over the left field wall to cut the deficit to one at 5-4.

The Falcons hit a solo homer of their own to reclaim a two-run lead, but Olynyk led off the bottom of the sixth with her second home run of the season to make it 6-5.

The Blue Hens put the tying and winning runs on base with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but two strikeouts ended the rally.

Game Two: Delaware 17, CCSU 3 (5 innings)

Delaware batted around in consecutive innings, sending 15 batters to the plate and scoring 12 runs in the top of the fifth inning while scoring the most runs since the 2021 season opener.

Grace Hrustich went 3-for-4 and finished a triple shy of the cycle while Hanna Garber had a double and a home run while driving in five runs. Julz Garber also had two hits and scored three runs, while Kisamore was on base three times and Sarah Bessel and Jayla Brooks each scored two runs.

Emily Winburn started in the circle and went 4.0 innings, allowing one run while striking out four. She retired the first 11 batters she faced. Kendall Shank pitched the final inning, striking out one.

Delaware jumped on the board quickly in the top of the first. Glanden hit a one-out double and, after a walk to Kisamore, came around to score on an RBI single by Mendoza.

The Blue Hens opened things up with four runs in the top of the fourth inning as the first six batters reached base safely. After an Olynyk walk and Hrustich double, both runners scored when Zoey Valentino was safe on an error. After a Julz Garber bunt single, Hanna Garber drove in a run with a double into the left-center field gap. Kisamore drove in a run with a fielder's choice to make it 5-0.

After CCSU scored a run in the bottom of the fourth, the Blue Hens sent 15 batters to the plate in the top of the fifth, with the first 11 reaching base, and scored 12 runs. Bessel led off with a bunt single before Hrustich launched her first home run of the season over the center field fence. UD reloaded the bases on three-straight walks before five runs crossed the plate without the benefit of a hit as CCSU hit three-consecutive batters before Christian and Bessel forced in runs with bases-loaded walks. Julz Garber drove in a run with a two-out single before Hanna Garber capped it all off with a grand slam to the opposite field for her fourth home run of the season.

The Blue Hens will return to action on Saturday with two more games at the NC State Invitational. UD will take on the Falcons again at 12:30 p.m. before playing the host Wolfpack at 5:30 p.m.

For the latest on the Delaware softball program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @Delaware_SB and Instagram @Delawaresoftball and like "Delaware Softball" on Facebook.