Juliano’s Grand Slam Helps Tribe Past Delaware, 9-4

03/30/08 7:25PM

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - Senior Paul Juliano hit a grand slam in the seventh inning to help William and Mary earn a 9-4 victory against Delaware on a cold and rainy afternoon at Plumeri Park on Sunday. With the triumph, W&M claimed the series against UD and improves its record to 18-10 overall and 9-6 in conference play.

In addition to the grand slam, Juliano went 2-for-2 with five RBI. The Northfield, N.J., native also drew three walks as he reached base in all five of his trips to the plate. Senior Greg Maliniak also hit a home run, while classmate Tim Park went 3-for-5 with a run scored. Junior Jeff Jones came up big with a 2-for-4 effort and scored twice.

Freshman RHP Tim Norton (4-1) worked 5.1 innings and allowed just two earned runs to record the win, while senior LHP Sean Grieve struck out six batters in 3.2 innings to pick up his fourth save of the season. Delaware’s sophomore RHP Brian Rorick (1-4) lasted just 2.2 innings and suffered the loss.

After a two-hour rain delay prior to the first pitch, Delaware (8-16, 3-6) took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Adam Tsakonas hit a one-out solo home run over the left field fence off a 0-2 pitch.

The Blue Hens added another run in the second. With one out, Pat Dameron got things started when he reached on an error by junior Lanny Stanfield. After stealing second, Kyle Davis registered a two-out RBI single to right.

W&M answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning to tie the score. With two away, Stanfield and freshman Derrick Osteen recorded consecutive singles. After Juliano drew a walk to load the bases, junior Tyler Stampone grounded to short and Davis’ throw to second sailed into left field allowing two runs to score.

The College put three runs across in the third to take a 5-2 advantage. Park registered a one-out single to shallow right, and Maliniak followed with a two-run blast over the right center field fence off a 3-2 offering. Jones then reached on an infield single to short and advanced to second when the throw was wide. Jones moved up to third when Stanfield flew out to left, and Osteen drew a walk to put runners on the corners. After freshman RHP Matt Harden entered the game in relief, Juliano drove in the third run with a single through the right side.

UD got a run back in the top of the sixth to cut the margin to 5-3. Scott Shockley drew a walk to begin the frame and advanced to second when Jared Olson grounded out to first. Ryan Reed then drove in Shockley with a double to right center. After Pat Dameron walked, Grieve entered the game in relief. Grieve then ended the threat when he fanned pinch hitter Chris Nehl, and Reed was caught attempting to steal third on the play.

Delaware scored another run in the seventh to narrow the gap to 5-4. Tsakonas drew a one-out walk, and Alex Buchholz followed with a double off the left field fence to put two runners in scoring position. Bill Merkler then plated Tsakonas when he grounded out to second.

The Green and Gold answered with four runs on a grand slam by Juliano in the bottom half of the inning. Maliniak reached on an error to begin the frame, and Jones followed with an infield single. After Stanfield moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, senior RHP David Slovak came on in relief. Pinch hitter Cole Franklin then drew a walk, and Juliano cleared the bases with a shot over the right field fence off a 2-2 pitch. It was the second home run of Juliano’s career.

The Tribe will return to action when it plays at Liberty on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Box Score