Hempstead, NY - Delaware used a four-run sixth inning to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 5-2 lead and then held off a late Hofstra rally in a 5-4 Colonial Athletic Association victory over the Pride Saturday at University Field. The Delaware win evened the series between the teams at one game each heading into Sunday's finale.

Hofstra (14-15, 6-5 CAA) scored a run in the first on an RBI double from Kevin Bruggeman that drove in Sean Flaherty, who had walked. The Pride extended the lead to 2-0 in the third on a solo home run by Brian Morrell.

Delaware (20-12, 5-3) got a run back in the fourth, putting runners on second and third with one out for Jake Dunion, who drove in the run on a ground out. The Blue Hens started the sixth inning with back-to-back home runs from JJ Freeman and Joseph Carpenter that gave them a 3-2 lead. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Delaware got sacrifice flies from Nick Vera and Jordan Hutchins to make it a 5-2 game.

The Pride got a run back in the eighth on Santino Rosso's double to left center that drove in Jake Liberatore, who was hit by a pitch. In the ninth, the Pride put the first two runners on. However, Delaware reliever Dom Velazquez retired the next two batters before giving up an RBI single to Steve Harrington. But with the tying run on third and the winning run on first, Velazquez got a grounder to short to end the game.

Hofstra reliever Chris Keenan (1-2) took the loss after allowing four runs on three hits in one-plus innings. Starter John Mikolaicyk, making his return from injury, went four innings and allowed a run on one hit with three walks and two strikeouts. Steven Kaenzig went the final four frames without allowing a run on two hits.

Joey Silan (3-3) went six innings and allowed two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts. Velazquez earned his second save, allowing two runs on five hits over three innings.

The teams conclude the series Sunday with a 12 p.m. start. Hofstra will be looking for its third CAA series win in four attempts.

Notes:
-Hofstra outhit the Blue Hens, 10-6, but left 10 runners on base.
-Anthony D'Onofrio extended his on-base streak to 18 games
-Kaenzig's four-inning stint was the longest of his career.
-Harrington, Bruggeman, and Rosso each had two hit s in the game.
-Morrell's home run was his third of the season.
-Carpenter and Dunion each had a pair of hits for Delaware.