WILLIAMSBURG, VA.- As has been the story in so many games this season, a fast start and a strong finish pushed the Tribe past Delaware 10-5 Sunday afternoon at Plumeri Park. The win secured William & Mary's second CAA sweep of the season and a spot in the conference tournament.
Justin Pearson earned his second win of the week striking out three over three innings pitched.
Mike Weidinger was solid in relief allowing zero runs in the seventh, and
Rojo Prarie recorded his second save of the year working a scoreless eighth and ninth.
Jack Cone started the game on the hill for the Green and Gold and struck out four over 3.0 innings to go with his fifth homer of the season.
Cole Ragone would give the Tribe plenty of insurance with a three-run blast in the eighth, his team-leading ninth of the year.
David Hogarth chipped in three hits and three RBI.
William & Mary wasted no time jumping on Delaware for four runs in the first inning. Cone set the tone on the hill for the Tribe striking out the side in the opening frame on just 11 pitches.
In the bottom half,
Matt Thomas led off with a double off the wall in center and was followed by a
Ben Williamson walk. Hogarth shot a triple into the right center gap to plate both runners. Cone shot a first-pitch fastball over the wall in right to make it 4-0 Tribe.
The Blue Hens did not hesitate answering as Aiden Kane hit a two-run homer just inside the foul pole to right to cut the William & Mary lead in half. Delaware scored again via two singles and a sacrifice fly in the third to make it a 4-3 game.
The Blue Hens struck for the third straight frame as Jordan Hutchins hit a two-out, two-run homer to center to make it 5-4 visitors. The lead would be short lived for Delaware as William & Mary would plate a two-spot in the fourth to take a 6-5 edge.
Max Winters doubled down the left field line, Thomas walked, and Williamson singled to load the bases. Ragone reached on a fielder's choice to score Winters and Thomas came in on Hogarth's single into left center.
The Tribe bullpen would keep Delaware off the board before adding insurance in the eighth.
Tyler Solomon led off with a single to center and would come out of the game for pinch runner
Phil Conti. After a sacrifice from
Nick Lottchea, Conti would score on a
Lucas Carmichael single through the right side. Thomas drew his second walk of the afternoon and Ragone opened the ball game up with a three-run jack to left making it 10-5.
Prairie made quick work of Delaware in the ninth to secure the Tribe sweep. William & Mary will head to Elon next weekend to finish up the regular season with the Phoenix before the CAA Championship the following week.
