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| VCU eliminates Delaware from CAA tourney |
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May 23, 2002--Davy Martin escaped early trouble in the first two innings and then settled down to fire a seven-hit shutout as Virginia Commonwealth defeated Delaware 2-0 on Thursday, May 23, in the Colonial Athletic Association baseball tournament in Manteo, N.C.
The loss eliminated Delaware (35-22) from the tournament and likely ended the Blue Hens' season. Delaware will hold out hope for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
"I am proud of how we played in this tournament and this season. I am also proud of the way Richie (McGuire) pitched today," said Delaware head coach Jim Sherman.
The shutout marked the first time since 1986 that Delaware had been shutout in a postseason game. Delaware had scored in each of its last 79 conference tournament and NCAA Tournament games dating back to a 6-0 shutout loss to Lafayette in the opening round of the East Coast Conference tournament.
The 1-0 game marked the first time in the 17-year history of the CAA tournament that shutouts have been hurled in back-to-back games. Wednesday night it was VCU who was the victim of a shutout, losing to William & Mary 1-0.
"It was sad to see us not be able to push any runs across," said Sherman. "We just didn't come through. Martin really pitched well, too. He was just mowing us down."
For the second straight day, the Blue Hens failed to capitalize on early opportunities and it cost them. Delaware had runners on second and third with no outs in the first inning, and had runners on first and second with no outs in the second inning, and came away empty-handed on both occasions.
In the first, Casey Fahy led off with a single up the middle. Reid Gorecki followed with a single to right, moving Fahy to third. However, after Gorecki stole second, the Blue Hens could not come up with the early scoring strike. Kris Dufner popped up to shortstop, Steve Van Note struck out and John Schneider grounded out to third to end the threat.
In the second, Brock Donovan and Doug Eitelman led off with back-to-back singles. Mark Michael followed with a bloop to shallow right field. Eitelman had to hold to see if the ball was caught and wound up getting forced out at second after the ball fell in. Martin then retired Steve Harden and Fahy on strikes to end that threat.
After that, Martin (6-7) held Delaware to just three hits and one walk. He did not allow a Blue Hen past first base after the two early threats.
VCU (34-25) scored its first run of the day in the fourth off of tough luck losing pitcher Rich McGuire. McGuire opened the game by retiring nine of the first 10 batters he faced. However, Jose Pabon got things started in the fourth with a bunt single. Danny Lopaze singled down the right field line to put runners at the corners with no outs. Nick Jones followed with a sacrifice fly to score Pabon.
The Rams got an insurance run in the seventh. Justin Mattison drew a one out walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Jeff Parrish followed with a single to left. A strong throw by Fahy held Mattison at third base. Joe Jackson followed with a ground ball to second, forcing Parrish. However, the Blue Hens could not turn the double play and Mattison scored.
In a losing effort, McGuire allowed just four hits and three walks while striking out six. McGuire fell to 5-5 in firing his first complete game of the season and the 25th of his career. He also raised his UD record career strikeout total to 253.
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