Box Score | Season Statistics

BROOKLINE, Mass. – Stranding 10 Delaware runners on base during the final four innings of Saturday's game, including seven in scoring position, the Northeastern baseball team managed to maintain its first-inning lead through the finish line as the Huskies won their first game of the year at Friedman Diamond, 7-4, against the Blue Hens.
 
Four relievers helped Northeastern (12-16, 5-3 CAA) preserve its late-game lead, allowing rookie right-hander David Stiehl (3-3) to collect his second straight victory as a starting pitcher. With the help of two inning-ending double plays executed by the NU defense, Stiehl worked his way around five hits and five walks, lasting five and one-third innings and departing with the Huskies in front, 4-3.
 
Tyler Brown came to Stiehl's calling with one out during the top of the sixth inning, inheriting runners on the corners. Despite issuing a walk to the first batter he faced, loading the bases for Delaware (16-13, 4-4 CAA), Brown forced the Blue Hens into sending consecutive fly balls to right field. There, Charlie McConnell showcased his leather on both occasions, diving on the latter play to make the secure the final out of the inning.
 
Facing another bases-loaded jam during the top of the seventh inning, Northeastern turned to Brian Rodriguez to claim all three outs and lessen damage. Although Delaware would trim the Huskies' lead to 5-4 on an RBI fielder's choice to the left side, Rodriguez countered his ensuing walk with a strikeout, collecting the final out on a ground ball hit towards second base.
 
Equipped with two more insurance runs courtesy of Jimmy Hand's two-RBI triple to dead center field, Northeastern entered the eighth inning with a 7-4 advantage. There, the Blue Hens managed to load the bases against Rodriguez, but were left stranding three runners on base after Andrew Misiaszek created two ground balls to the pitcher's mound, the latter of which sparked a 1-2-3, inning-ending double play.
 
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Northeastern and Delaware will conclude their three-game series on Sunday, April 9, at 1 p.m.