NEWARK, Del. – After claiming a dominant 8-2 win in game one, the William & Mary baseball team struggled to erase an early deficit as Delaware held on for an 8-5 triumph during game two of Saturday's doubleheader at Bob Hannah Stadium. With the loss, the Tribe falls to 15-12 overall and 2-3 in conference action, while the Blue Hens improve to 14-10, 2-3 in league play.
 
Senior Charles Ameer and freshman Brandon Raquet led the offense with two hits and a double each. Raquet also drove in a run. Junior Ryan Hall posted a home run and scored a pair of runs, while redshirt sophomore Kyle Wrighte tallied an RBI.
 
The Blue Hens used the long ball to grab an early lead in the bottom of the first. After the first out, Nick Tierno hit a solo shot to right field. Doug Trimble singled up the middle, before Nick Batten notched a two-run homer, giving UD a 3-0 advantage.
 
The Tribe responded with a pair of runs in the top of the second. Ameer led off the frame with a single up the middle. Raquet then drew a walk, before a wild pitch advanced him and Ameer. The next batter, Wrighte belted a single to right field to plate Ameer. After the first out, a bulk brought Raquet home to cut the deficit to 3-2.
 
However, the Blue Hens extended their lead in the home half of the second. Diaz Nardo recorded a one-out single, and Brian Mayer followed up with a two-run dinger for a 5-2 lead.
 
W&M continued to chip away at the Delaware lead in the third inning. Hall and senior Ryder Miconi drew back-to-back walks to set the table. After the first out, Ameer was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A fielder's choice on the next at bat was enough to bring home Hall before the frame closed, making it a 5-3 affair.
 
The Tribe offense struck again in the fifth inning to make the game a one-run difference. Hall registered his third homer of the season with a solo blast down the right field line, bringing the margin to 5-4.
 
Nonetheless, the Blue Hens stretched their advantage in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Kevin Mohollen doubled and Tierno forced a walk to start the rally. On the next at bat, Jordan Glover hit an RBI single through the left side. Trimble then followed up with an RBI double down the left line. Glover also crossed home plate to put Delaware ahead 8-4, before the Tribe could get the final out.
 
The Green and Gold remained within reach with a run scored in the eighth inning. Ameer smoked a one-out double to center field and advanced to third base on a wild pitch. Raquet plated Ameer behind a double to left field, allowing the Tribe to trail 8-5.
 
Regardless, W&M went down in order in the top of the ninth to conclude to contest.
 
Bodie Sheehan (4-2) was credited with the loss as he went 6.1 innings, allowed seven runs on eight hits and tallied three strikeouts. James Meeker (3-0) earned the win with two K's, one run on three hits and three innings of work.
 
The three-game series concludes tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m.