NEWARK, Del. (Interstat) — Anthony DeCesare went 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs, leading Delaware to a 6-3 victory over Western Kentucky on Saturday at Bob Hannah Stadium in a Conference USA contest.

The Blue Hens improved to 19-35 behind three scoreless relief innings from Ben Moyzan, who allowed three hits and struck out six to earn the win. Delaware erased an early three-run deficit and took the lead for good in the sixth inning.

Western Kentucky, which fell to 29-26, had jumped ahead in the top of the first. A walk and a hit by pitch put two runners on before C. Ross grounded out to shortstop, scoring A. Haller. Cael Frost followed with an RBI double to right field, plating R. Howard and giving the Hilltoppers a 3-0 lead.

Delaware answered in the bottom of the inning. Sal Mineo doubled to right center and scored on a triple by Evan Bouldin. Bouldin then came home on a single by DeCesare, cutting the lead to 3-2.

The Hilltoppers extended their advantage in the second. J. Acosta singled, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on a double by E. Reynolds, making it 3-2.

Delaware tied the game in the third when DeCesare homered to left center, his second hit of the day. The score remained 3-3 until the sixth.

DeCesare led off the bottom of the sixth with a double down the left-field line. After two strikeouts, LT Cockrill singled up the middle to drive in DeCesare, putting Delaware ahead 4-3.

The Blue Hens added two unearned runs in the seventh, capitalizing on two Western Kentucky errors. Cole Carbone reached on a throwing error by the third baseman. Anthony Charles reached on a bunt single that was mishandled by the pitcher. Sal Mineo singled up the middle to score Carbone. After a pitching change, Evan Bouldin reached on a fielder’s choice to shortstop, driving in Charles, who advanced to third on a throwing error by the shortstop. Bouldin was credited with an RBI. The inning ended with DeCesare grounding into a double play, but Delaware led 6-3.

The Hilltoppers managed only three hits after the first inning and struck out 11 times. Frost went 3 for 3 with a double and an RBI. R. Howard added two hits.

Delaware starter Ryan McLaughlin worked five innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs with one strikeout in a no-decision. Moyzan took over in the sixth and retired the first four batters he faced. Andrew Callaway pitched a scoreless ninth, allowing one hit and striking out one.

For Western Kentucky, starter Dominic Monaco allowed three runs on three hits with six strikeouts over three innings. Zach Lyles followed with three scoreless innings, giving up no hits and striking out three. Nathan Lawson and Sam Frizzi each tossed a scoreless inning.

Bouldin finished 1 for 4 with two RBIs for Delaware. Mineo had two hits and an RBI. Cockrill drove in the go-ahead run.

The game was the third meeting between the teams in three days. Western Kentucky won 3-0 on Friday, while Delaware won 7-3 on Thursday.

Delaware grounded into two double plays, including one in the seventh that ended the Blue Hens’ scoring threat.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Western Kentucky 6, Delaware 5. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Western Kentucky with a 65.50 percent probability to win.