Newark, DE - Kevin Flynn's two-out, two-run double in the
top of the eighth gave Hofstra a 10-9 lead and Delaware pinch-runner Gary Jones
was thrown out at the plate for the final out as the Pride held on for the
victory at Bob Hannah Stadium Sunday afternoon. The win completed a three-game
sweep for the Pride.
Hofstra moves to 25-17, 14-7 with the win, while Delaware
drops to 20-22, 11-10 in the CAA.
The Blue Hens led 8-4 after two innings as the chased
Hofstra starter Dave Jesch after just an inning-plus. But the Pride chipped
away with a run in the third and three in the fourth to tie the game at eight.
Matt Reistetter had the tying-hit in the fourth, a two-run single.
But Delaware took a 9-8 lead in the as DJ Long walked and
came around on Alex Mauri's double. The Pride went down in order in the
seventh, but Danny Poma got things started in the eighth with his second double
of the game. After Matt Ford struck out, the Blue Hens walked the CAA's RBI
leader in Jared Hammer intentionally. After a Kenny Jackson fly out, Delaware
brought in Stephen Richter to face Flynn and the senior greeted him with a
double to left that drove in the tying and go-ahead runs.
Delaware had a chance in the ninth as Chris Branigan singled with two outs and was run for by Jones. Alex Mottle then doubled to center, but Jones was thrown out at the plate on a relay throw from Taylor Stuart to Dalton Rouleau to Reistetter for the final out.
Hofstra reliever Andrew Barbarino (3-2) picked up the win
after allowing one hit and one run in 3 1/3 innings. Bryan Verbitsky pitched
the final two innings for his fourth save of the season. Jesch had his shortest
start of the season as Delaware touched him up for eight runs on eight hits.
Devon Pearson (4-1) took the loss after allowing two runs on
four hits in four innings of work.
Flynn finished the day 2-for-3 with two walks. Ford led the
Hofstra offense, which collected 14 hits, with three hits and two RBIs. Poma,
Reistetter and Jackson also had three hits each for the Pride.
Nick Ferdinand had a grand slam in a four-run second inning
for the Blue Hens.
Hofstra returns to action Tuesday in a non-conference
matchup at Rutgers. Game time is 3:30 p.m.
