NEWARK, Del. – UMBC freshman Anthony Gatto (Hauppauge, N.Y./Smithtown West) went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and one knocked in but the Retrievers lost to Delaware, 17-8, Tuesday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium.

Junior Jason Allinder (Snow Hill, Md./Snow Hill/Chesapeake CC) also picked up a multi-hit game against the Blue Hens going 2-for-4 and driving in three runs.

UMBC began the game brightly, taking a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning.  Freshman Ian Glassman (Basking Ridge, N.J./Rutgers Prep) started the game with a single up the middle and came around to score on a hit by senior Brian Klukowicz (Clifton, N.J./St. Peter's Prep).  After Gatto earned a walk, Allinder drove in both of the runners with a double to centerfield.

Delaware fought right back however, plating four runs in the bottom half of the inning against UMBC starter Jon Cobo (Bel Air, Md./C.Milton Wright).  The lefty (0-1) ended up being charged with seven runs on six hits to take the loss for the Retrievers.

Despite giving up five runs in just over five innings of work, Blue Hen starter Dan Gatto picked up the win. 

Gatto shut the Retrievers down in the top of the second and the Blue Hens took advantage adding four runs in the bottom half and another in the third inning to build a six-run lead, 9-3. 

UMBC pegged back with solo runs in the top of the fourth and six innings to pull within four, 9-5, but could not get any closer.

The hosts scored four more in the bottom half of the sixth and crossed the plate three times in the seventh and one more time in the eighth to pull away.

The Retrievers tried one last rally in the top of the ninth, scoring three runs, but could not overcome the deficit on the road.

Shortstop Brock Niggebrugge and first baseman Jimmy Yezzo combined to go 7-for-9 for the Blue Hens on Tuesday, driving in seven run and scoring seven runs.

UMBC now makes its last weekend road trip of the month of April when the squad heads to New York to take on America East rival Binghamton.  The Retrievers and Bearcats open the three-game series with two games on Saturday and finish with one more on Sunday.

DAWG BITES

-           With 12 hits on Tuesday, UMBC extended its streak of 5+ hits to 21 consecutive games.

-          The Retrievers hit two doubles off of the Blue Hens and have now had multiple doubles in each of the last five games.

-          UMBC pitchers recorded three strikeouts against Delaware and have struck out at least one batter in each game this season.

-          Gatto's three hits give him his second career-game with three or more hits.

-          Glassman's leadoff single in the first extended his hit streak to a career-high six games.