Temple University Athletics
Diamond Owls Hold Off Late Rally To Top Delaware, 5-4
3.20.07 | Baseball
March 20, 2007
NEWARK, DE - Temple scored the game's first five runs and held off a ninth-inning rally to beat Delaware, 5-4, on Wednesday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium. The Owls led 5-0 heading into the bottom of the frame, but the Blue Hens scored four runs and left the tying run on third base. Temple's win snapped a five-game losing streak against UD, which had won nine of ten in the series. The game was finalized this morning after both teams had previously scheduled games cancelled due to unplayable field conditions.
The Cherry and White got on the board with two runs in the first, thanks to a sophomore Sean Barksdale two-run single. The Glenolden, PA product was 3-for-5 with three RBI for the game and is 10-for-15 (.667) over his past four games.
Temple only had four baserunners over the next six innings but added a pair of runs in the eighth. Junior Stan Orzechowski was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and moved to second on classmate Ryan Weber's single to right. Senior Dan Brady then singled to load the bases and Barksdale followed with a RBI single to put TU ahead 3-0. A fielder's choice by sophomore Jamie Abercrombie plated Weber for the Owls' fourth run of the game, but the visitors left the bases loaded in the frame.
TU responded in its next at-bat with an insurance run, which turned out to be needed, in the ninth. Sophomore Kyle Obal reached on a bunt single and moved to second on Orzechowski's walk. After a fielder's choice, Brady reached on an error by the UD thirdbaseman that plated Obal to give TU a 5-0 lead.
Delaware fought its way back into game with four runs in its final at-bat. After a RBI-groundout, a two-run single by All-American candidate Alex Bucholz made the score 5-3. A two-out Temple error allowed another run to score and kept the Blue Hens alive, but freshman Matt Blackburn induced a groundout to end the game.
Temple (5-10) sent five different pitchers to the mound, including a trio of freshman. Junior Tom Dolan (3-1) picked up the win after throwing two scoreless innings. Sophomore Matt Mongiardini added two more shutout frames, freshman Mike Click had another scoreless inning and classmate Richie Gargel threw three perfect frames and fanned two batters.
Brady had two hits, including a double, and junior Mike Kelch also had a pair of singles.
Delaware's Brad Miller suffered the loss. He allowed two runs in four innings to fall to 1-2 on the season. The Blue Hens fall to 2-10 with the loss.
The Owls are scheduled to visit St. John's on Wednesday at 3 PM.
