University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Drexel
Garber’s Walkoff Lifts Delaware to Win in Suspended Game
4/10/2022 9:23:00 PM | Softball
NEWARK, Del. – Hanna Garber hit a walkoff solo home run in the bottom of the 14th inning as the University of Delaware softball team won one of the longest games in program history, 2-1, over Drexel to open a three-game CAA series. Not only was the contest one of the longest in terms of innings, but it was played over two days as weather forced the game to be suspended from Saturday to Sunday. With the win, the Blue Hens improve to 22-11 overall and 5-2 in conference play.
The game started on Saturday afternoon and was supposed to be the first of two games on the day, but rain forced a delay in the bottom of the 14th inning with two outs and Garber at the plate. The already wet field could not handle the additional rain and the game was suspended until Sunday.
Garber, who had a 2-1 count at the time of the suspension, needed just two pitches to put an end to the game as she launched her team-leading eighth home run well over the center field fence to give UD the 2-1 win and kickstart a celebration at home plate.
The game was a pitcher's duel the entire way as two of the top offenses in the CAA were held in check. Emily Winburn started in the circle and went 7.1 innings with five strikeouts.
The game was scoreless until Drexel scored an unearned run in the top of the eighth inning. The Blue Hens were down to their final out when Brittney Mendoza lined an RBI single to score Chloe Blantz to knot things up at one. Delaware stranded the winning run in scoring position as the game continued.
Both teams had chances throughout extra innings, putting multiple runners on in several frames. Neither side could push the winning run across until Garber's heroics on Sunday.
Graceyn Frost picked up the win with 6.2 innings of scoreless relief as she struck out five. Emily Blum had two hits to lead the offense while Garber, Mendoza and Kailey Christian all had a hit and a walk.
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.
