NEWARK, Del.– A late comeback attempt ultimately came up short as the Saint Joseph's baseball team fell to Delaware, 6-5, at Bob Hannah Stadium on Tuesday night.
Delaware (13-23) took the early lead as Kevin Mohollen led off the game with a single and came around to score on a single by Jordan Hutchins.
The Hawks stranded runners on the corners in the third but finally broke through in the top of the fourth. Dominic Cuoci started things off with a one-out double before coming in to tie the game on a single by James McConnon. Kadar Namey followed two batters later with a double of his own, plating McConnon and giving the Hawks a 2-1 lead.
The hosts went back in front in the fifth on a two-run home run by Hutchins.
Saint Joseph's (12-19) drew level in the top of the seventh when Liam Bendo's sacrifice fly brought home Namey, but the Blue Hens put three on the board in the bottom of the inning, as Hutchins recorded the last of his five RBI on the night with a two-run double and Joseph Carpenter drove him in with a single.
The Hawks got two back in the eighth as Nate Thomas led off with a walk before Cuoci walked to put two on with nobody out. A groundout moved the runners to second and third for Jake Artz, who ripped his fourth triple of the season to get the Hawks back within a run at 6-5.
In the ninth, Andrew Cossetti reached on a two-out double before being replaced by pinch runner Tim Johnson. After a walk to Thomas, Cuoci hit an infield single, but unfortunately for the Crimson and Gray, Johnson was thrown out at the plate to end the ballgame.
Winston Allen recorded the win for Delaware, allowing two runs on three hits in three innings. Jose Martinez took the loss for SJU after being charged with three runs on three hits in an inning-plus.
The Hawks will return home for a three-game Atlantic 10 series against La Salle beginning on Thursday. First pitch against the Explorers at Smithson Field is currently set for 3:00 p.m., but an unfavorable forecast could alter the schedule. Any updates will be provided on SJUHawks.com and the Hawks' social media outlets.
