Skip to main content

University of Delaware Athletics

Blue Hens Look to Improve CAA Position at Elon

Blue Hens Look to Improve CAA Position at Elon

4/20/2017 2:35:00 PM | Baseball

ELON, N.C.-- The University of Delaware will kick-off its longest road stretch of the season when it heads down to Elon this weekend.

This weekend kicks off 11 consecutive games away from Bob Hannah Stadium, and is the first of three consecutive series in the state of North Carolina. Delaware (21-14, 7-5 CAA) is scheduled to head to UNCW next weekend, before concluding the three weekend swing at North Carolina State.

The Blue Hens head into the weekend in third place in the Colonial Athletic Association just one-game behind Elon for second place. Northeastern, the team in the top spot, is two games clear of Delaware and a one-game ahead of the Phoenix  (18-19, 8-4 CAA).

Week In Review:
The Blue Hens are coming-off a perfect 5-0 home stand. In the opener of the home stretch the Hens defeated Penn, 10-9. In the victory, outfielder Calvin Scott produced three hits and Cole Benjamin produced 1.1 innings to earn the win.

Last weekend, the Blue Hens welcomed in Hofstra for a three-game Easter weekend series. In front of the three largest crowds of the season, Delaware completed one of its most complete weekends of the season, sweeping the Pride.

On Friday, Delaware received a two-RBI double from CAA Player of the Week honoree Brian Mayer, and four shutout innings from relievers Colman Vila and Ron Marinaccio. The performances earned UD an 8-4 victory.

Saturday, the Hens bats exploded for 17 runs and 16 hits. Again Mayer had a huge afternoon, as the catcher hit a three-run home run and a two-run home run in the win. The senior's six-RBI was a new career high and the most by a Blue Hens since 2014.

In the finale, the Blue Hens bats again came alive, as Delaware hit a season-high five home runs.  Mayer again showed off his power going deep twice for the second consecutive day. Outfielder Jordan Glover produced a two-run home run and shortstop Jeremy Ake produced his first home run of the season.

On the mound, sophomore lefty Brandon Walter pitched five scoreless innings to earn his team leading fourth victory.

Tuesday the Hens capped off the perfect home stand defeating Saint Joseph's, 11-6. Delaware fell behind 5-2, but used a seven-run seventh inning to recover for the victory. First baseman Nick Patten and Glover each hit two-run home runs, before Diaz Nardo delivered a crucial grand slam. Reliever Kyle Hinton produced three-innings of scoreless relief, striking out five. The performance earned Hinton his first win of the season.

Scouting the Foes:
Elon comes into the weekend with the second best record in the CAA (8-4). Elon opened CAA play winning two of three from Northeastern, and then swept James Madison. The Phoenix dropped a pair at William & Mary and the opener at Towson, but rebounded to take the final two games and the series.

Freshman starter Kyle Brnovich has been extremely successful this season both in-conference and in non-conference action. The righty has allowed just four runs (1.12 ERA) in conference play. Overall, Brnovich has produced a record of 4-2 with a 2.41 ERA.

At the plate Ryne Ogren has been the Phoenix most consistent hitter. He leads the team in at-bats (147), average (.367), hits (54), doubles (15) and on-base percentage (.430). Kyle Jackson is the team's best power hitter as he leads the squad in home runs (8) and slugging percentage (.596).

All-Time Series:
Delaware leads the all-time series between the two schools, 6-5. The Hens won the series last season two games to one.

Pitching Matchups:
Friday
: RHP Nick Spadafino (3-1, 5.58 ERA) vs. RHP Ryan Conroy (4-3, 3.34 ERA)
Saturday: LHP Kevin Milley (3-1, 4.26 ERA) vs. LHP Jordan Barrett (2-2, 4.57 ERA)
Sunday: TBA vs. RHP Kyle Brnovich (4-2, 2.41 ERA)

MEDIA INFORMATION: Contact: Andrew Stern | Anwstern@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-6519 | Cell: 914-589-9666