NEWARK, Del. (Interstat) — The Delaware Blue Hens rallied from an early three-run deficit and defeated the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 7-3 on Thursday evening at Bob Hannah Stadium in a Conference USA matchup.

Western Kentucky struck first in the top of the first inning. Second baseman Austin Haller singled through the left side, and after a fielder’s choice, right fielder C. Ross doubled to left field to drive in the first run. The Hilltoppers added two more runs in the second inning when Haller singled home another run and later stole second base.

But Delaware answered quickly in the bottom of the first. Center fielder Sal Mineo doubled to left field, and after a wild pitch moved him to third, second baseman Jeremy Wolf doubled to right center to score Mineo. Shortstop Anthony DeCesare grounded out to bring in a run, and left fielder Matthew Minckler followed with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 3.

The Blue Hens took the lead in the bottom of the second. Catcher Cole Carbone singled and advanced to second on a pickoff error by Western Kentucky pitcher Gage Olsen. Mineo then doubled down the right field line to drive in Carbone, giving Delaware a 4-3 advantage.

Delaware extended its lead in the third inning. After Minckler singled and stole second, shortstop Harry Carr singled up the middle to score Minckler, making it 5-3.

The most decisive moment came in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, Evan Bouldin singled, Wolf singled and DeCesare singled to load the bases. Minckler reached on a fielder’s choice that scored Bouldin, and Carr followed with a sacrifice bunt that drove in Wolf, pushing the Delaware lead to 7-3.

Western Kentucky’s offense never recovered. The Hilltoppers mounted a threat in the sixth inning when Haller walked and advanced on a throwing error, but reliever Dylan Bryan entered and struck out C. Frost to end the inning. Bryan pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out seven.

Delaware starter Nicholas Bilotto worked 3 1/3 innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts. Jake Marchesano followed with 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, allowing four hits and striking out four.

For Western Kentucky, Austin Haller went 3 for 4 with a run batted in. C. Ross doubled and drove in a run. Ka’olu Holt struck out seven over six innings, allowing two earned runs and no hits.

Delaware finished with 10 hits, matching the Hilltoppers. Sal Mineo went 2 for 3 with two doubles and a run batted in. Jeremy Wolf had two hits and an RBI. Harry Carr and Matthew Minckler each drove in two runs.

The win lifted Delaware to 18-34 on the season, while Western Kentucky fell to 28-25.

The two teams are scheduled to meet again Friday in the second game of the series at Bob Hannah Stadium.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Western Kentucky 6, Delaware 5, and its ELO system gave the Hilltoppers a 66.20 percent probability to win.