University of Delaware Athletics
Sunday, May 14
Newark, Del.
1:00 PM
University of Delaware
12
vs
10
Towson
Photo by: Gavin Bethell
Ludman’s Pinch-Hit Blast Gives Baseball Series Victory in Final Home Game
5/14/2023 4:38:00 PM | Baseball
NEWARK, Del. – As he did against Charleston on Apr. 2, Eric Ludman was sent to the plate in a big spot for Delaware baseball (26-26, 15-12 CAA) and delivered, catapulting a two-run home run to dead-center to put the Hens in front of Towson (17-36, 5-22) for good, winning 12-10 on Sunday.
"Eric is known as 'Mr. Clutch', and I thought that was a good opportunity for him," head coach Greg Mamula said. "If you believe in baseball karma, that was it, because nobody in this program works harder on their hitting, nobody has a better attitude and nobody is a better teammate than Eric Ludman."
Towson jumped all over Tyler Strechay early, scoring four runs in the first two innings to grab the early advantage.
Joey Loynd came through with a bases-clearing double in the third to answer right back, giving the Tigers a 4-3 spread heading into the fourth.
Towson once again jumped for more runs, scoring four in the fourth and fifth to magnify the lead to five, its largest of the game.
As it has done so often this season, the offense for Delaware did not sweat. Tyler Leach cracked a solo shot to left in the fifth, and two bases-loaded walks by the Hens brought the team within two at 8-6.
The Tigers scratched across a run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly and were immediately met with a two-run shot by Bryce Greenly to make it a one-run game in the bottom half.
The signature blow came in the eighth inning. Leach drew a lead-off walk, and Mamula sent Eric Ludman up in a clutch spot to pinch-hit for Josearmando Diaz.
On the second pitch, Ludman, in what would be his final swing at Bob Hannah Stadium, demolished a home run to dead-center, giving Delaware a lead it would never relinquish. An emotional Ludman rounded the bases with his fist in the air.
"I'm trying to soak it all in right now," Ludman said. "This place has been home for the last four years, I loved it and I'm going to miss it. It feels good to go out that way."
Loynd chipped in another RBI double to extend his season total to 72, now tied for second-most in a single season by a junior in Delaware history. Greenly followed with a sacrifice fly to make it a 12-9 game.
Eli Atiya allowed a home run in the ninth but nothing more, setting down the Tigers to earn his fifth victory of the season and a 12-10 win overall.
The Hens remain tied for fifth in the conference standings and will be in action on Tuesday at UMBC for the final midweek contest of the campaign.
"Eric is known as 'Mr. Clutch', and I thought that was a good opportunity for him," head coach Greg Mamula said. "If you believe in baseball karma, that was it, because nobody in this program works harder on their hitting, nobody has a better attitude and nobody is a better teammate than Eric Ludman."
Towson jumped all over Tyler Strechay early, scoring four runs in the first two innings to grab the early advantage.
Joey Loynd came through with a bases-clearing double in the third to answer right back, giving the Tigers a 4-3 spread heading into the fourth.
Towson once again jumped for more runs, scoring four in the fourth and fifth to magnify the lead to five, its largest of the game.
As it has done so often this season, the offense for Delaware did not sweat. Tyler Leach cracked a solo shot to left in the fifth, and two bases-loaded walks by the Hens brought the team within two at 8-6.
The Tigers scratched across a run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly and were immediately met with a two-run shot by Bryce Greenly to make it a one-run game in the bottom half.
The signature blow came in the eighth inning. Leach drew a lead-off walk, and Mamula sent Eric Ludman up in a clutch spot to pinch-hit for Josearmando Diaz.
On the second pitch, Ludman, in what would be his final swing at Bob Hannah Stadium, demolished a home run to dead-center, giving Delaware a lead it would never relinquish. An emotional Ludman rounded the bases with his fist in the air.
"I'm trying to soak it all in right now," Ludman said. "This place has been home for the last four years, I loved it and I'm going to miss it. It feels good to go out that way."
Loynd chipped in another RBI double to extend his season total to 72, now tied for second-most in a single season by a junior in Delaware history. Greenly followed with a sacrifice fly to make it a 12-9 game.
Eli Atiya allowed a home run in the ninth but nothing more, setting down the Tigers to earn his fifth victory of the season and a 12-10 win overall.
The Hens remain tied for fifth in the conference standings and will be in action on Tuesday at UMBC for the final midweek contest of the campaign.
Players Mentioned
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