MERION STATION, Pa. (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of both recent form and pregame projections, the Delaware Blue Hens erupted for a 15-6 victory over the Saint Joseph’s Hawks in a non-conference baseball game Wednesday at Smithson Field.

The offensive outburst, which featured 13 hits and capitalized on four Hawks errors, provided a bright spot for a Delaware team that entered the day with just 11 wins. It also served as a measure of revenge after the Hawks had won eight of their last ten. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 7-1 Saint Joseph’s win, giving the Hawks a 57.3% probability of victory based on its ELO system.

The most critical phase of the game was a decisive and messy top of the fifth inning. Delaware, leading 2-0, broke the game open by sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring eight runs, only one of which was earned. The inning was fueled by a costly throwing error by Saint Joseph’s shortstop, a passed ball, and a series of timely hits. Harry Carr provided the biggest blow with a two-run homer to right center, part of his two-RBI day. Anthony Charles and LT Cockrill each drove in a run, while Jeremy Wolf and Sam Winsett contributed RBI singles and a sacrifice fly, respectively. By the time the inning ended, Delaware held a commanding 10-0 lead.

Delaware’s pitching staff, led by starter Matt Reyes, made the large margin stand. Reyes, named the top star for Delaware, entered in the bottom of the second and delivered four dominant innings of relief. He allowed no hits and just one earned run while striking out two, effectively silencing the Hawks’ bats during the Blue Hens’ offensive explosion. He was followed by Matthew Minckler, who struck out four over two hitless innings, and a combination of three other relievers to close it out.

Jeremy Wolf led Delaware’s offensive charge, going 4 for 5 with an RBI and three runs scored. Anthony Charles added three hits, an RBI, and two runs, while Cockrill drove in three runs despite only one official at-bat, drawing two walks and being hit by a pitch.

For Saint Joseph’s, Joey Pagano went 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored. The Hawks scored four times in a chaotic bottom of the ninth, aided by a Delaware error, two walks, a hit batter, and a wild pitch, but the rally was far too little, too late.

The win improves Delaware’s record to 12-29, while Saint Joseph’s falls to 26-13. The Blue Hens travel to face Liberty for a three-game series beginning Friday. Saint Joseph’s opens an Atlantic 10 series at La Salle on Friday.