Hempstead, NY – Delaware scored eight times in the top of the fourth inning to break a 2-2 tie and went on to post a 22-8 victory over Hofstra in the finale of a four-game series Sunday at University Field. The Blue Hens avoided being swept in the Colonial Athletic Association series after the Pride won the first three games.

Hofstra saw its overall record even at 15-15 with the loss. The Pride is 6-9 in CAA play. Delaware snapped a seven-game losing streak with the win and moved to 9-17 on the year overall and 5-11 in the CAA.

Hofstra started strong as Austin Gauthier led off the bottom of the first with a long home run over the scoreboard in right center field. The Pride would get another run, as Anthony D'Onofrio's double was mishandled for an error, allowing Santino Rosso to score after stopping at third.

Delaware would tie the score at two following runs in the second and third inning before pulling away in the fourth. Jordan Hutchins had a two-run triple, while Jake Dunion (2-run), Jack Goan (solo), and Aidan Kane (solo) homered in the inning.

The Blue Hens added two runs in the fifth, three in the sixth and seven more in the ninth. Joey Loynd had the big blow in the final inning with a grand slam.

The Pride scored twice in the fifth on a RBI triple from Rosso and a fielding error. Hofstra would add three more in the seventh with Nick Marrero delivering a two-run single and Alex Sica adding an RBI single. The Pride's final run came in on a Sica sacrifice fly in the ninth.

Ryan Rue (2-1) started and took the loss for Hofstra, allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits in three-plus innings. The Pride would seven relievers over the next six innings. Mike Mirando was the most effective of the seven, allowing just one hit in 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

Derek Wakeley (2-1) picked up the win in relief for Delaware after allowing three runs on four hits in 3 2/3 innings. Blue Hens starter David Mervis went 4 1/3 and allowed four runs on three hits.

Hofstra is back in action Friday at Northeastern in the opening game of a four-game set. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.

Notes:
-Rosso and D'Onofrio each finished the game 2-4. Rosso scored three runs while D'Onofrio scored once.
-Gauthier's home run was his team-leading sixth of the season.
-Sica and Marrero were both 1-4 with two RBIs.
-Hofstra left 11 runners on base.
-Ryan Morash, an infielder/outfielder, came on in relief in the ninth and retired the only batter he faced.
-Hofstra is 32-78 all-time versus Delaware with each team winning four games this season.
-Hofstra finished the 2021 season 10-7 at University Field.