underPreview: Delaware vs. Del. State Baseball

Time: Tuesday, March 16, 1 p.m.

Location: Bob Hannah Stadium, Newark

About the Teams:

Delaware: The Hens were rained out this past weekend. Two weeks ago, Delaware lost three out of four to Manhattan.  Delaware has seven players batting over .300, including senior captain Carlos Alonso and junior Pat Dameron who are batting over .400. Pitching has proved to be a weakness. The pitching staff's average ERA is 9.29 and opponents are hitting .319 off of Delaware.

Delaware State: The Hornets are almost identical to the Hens on paper.  DSU has five players batting over .300. The squad is also 3-7. DSU did not play last weekend and the pitching staff is also the source of its problems. The team ERA is 8.22 and opponents are swinging a hot stick against the Hornets, accounting for a .338 batting average.

Why the Hens can win:

Despite a rough start to the season, the Hens do have two strong starters in sophomore Rich O'Donald and senior co-captain Brian Rorick. The two aces combined for almost a third of the team's wins last year. Carlos Alonso is one of the toughest outs in college baseball — he's reached base in every game in his Delaware career and currently has a 23-game hitting streak.  The Hens have hit 15 home runs this season, which is 10 more than DSU.

Why the Hens could lose:

The Hens and the Hornets have split the season series the last two years. Last year, the home team won each contest. In 2008, the away team won each contest. Sophomore infielder Scott Davis is batting .467 but he's only played in four games. None of the team's starting pitchers have an ERA below 6.35. The Hornets have had a losing record the last three years Nevertheless, DSU has won in Newark before and may surprise Delaware.

The Numbers:

60- Consecutive games Carlos Alonso has reached base.

.258- DSU team batting average.

The Prediction:

Delaware will win behind the long ball, hitting at least two home runs.

Delaware 9,  Delaware State 7.