2026 Baseball

[UDFootballFan]

What is the major issue with baseball? Lack of talent, coaching issue/recruiting issue

[Udforever1]

What is the major issue with baseball? Lack of talent, coaching issue/recruiting issue

Again, in no way am I defending our performance or a staff that can’t throw strikes half the time, but it’s going to take some time. CUSA is a fantastic mid major baseball conference, and we were a pretty mediocre program in a worse conference. We’ve gotten to the point where outside P4s Maryland and Rutgers, we have no trouble beating the teams in our area. But now that’s simply not good enough, because CUSA is a different animal. Every weekend is playing the Charlestons, UNCWs and Northeasterns of the CAA, and team’s even better than them. There are no Towsons or Hofstras or whoever to beat up on and pad your conference record.

I don’t think things are as bad as you think they are, it’s just going to take some time with some CUSA recruiting and portal classes. We are going to take some lumps this year, no doubt. Some good signs are I thought we got a bit of a different type level transfer this past off season, and this incoming recruiting class is pretty decent, highlighted by two P4 decommits who are pitchers. I think we all know they can’t help soon enough.

[Heeper]

I don't disagree at all that CUSA is a tougher conference and the Hens will need some time to upgrade their roster and game to meet this higher level competition. With that said, it doesn't matter what conference we are in if we can't throw the ball over the damn plate. 7.25 walks per 9 innings, 288th out of 300 D1. I played for coaches that wouldn't let you go near the mound if you didn't throw strikes no matter how hard you threw.

[Udforever1]

I don't disagree at all that CUSA is a tougher conference and the Hens will need some time to upgrade their roster and game to meet this higher level competition. With that said, it doesn't matter what conference we are in if we can't throw the ball over the damn plate. 7.25 walks per 9 innings, 288th out of 300 D1. I played for coaches that wouldn't let you go near the mound if you didn't throw strikes no matter how hard you threw.

Not disagreeing with any of that. Like I said, Hens have to get a lot better in that department for sure.

[BlueHenBill]

In comparing to CUSA Baseball & Softball teams, aren't we overlooking the possible factors of the number of schollies and NIL dollars?

[East Coaster]

Dallas Baptist, the best baseball team in CUSA, and La Tech, one of the better programs, have announced they are leaving the conference after this season (La Tech is in litigation over it) for greener pastures.

With respect to recent UD transfers who would have helped this year - Tyler August is pitching in relief for Liberty. He has thrown 13 innings thus far with a low era, 17 strikeouts, and 8 walks. Aiden Stewart, last year's starting second basemen, has not been getting much playing time thus far at Indiana. Owen Petrich, who starred at St. Joe's after leaving UD, moved on to Virginia Tech and is the starting third baseman.

[Udforever1]

Hens all over St. Joes today, winning 18-0. Only gave up 1 hit and walked 3.

[East Coaster]

It was good to see Lambert return today. He has been out since the fifth game, apparently with an injury. He batted second or third in the lineup in 4 out of the first 5 games, so the coaches must think he can hit.

The one hit for St Joe's in today's game was questionable, as our first basement lost a high bouncer in the sun. It looked he could have made a play if he had seen it.

[bluehenbillk]

Hens all over St. Joes today, winning 18-0. Only gave up 1 hit and walked 3.

St Joes lost at home 14-10 to West Chester last week.

[LifetimeHensFan]

In no way am I defending our performance, but even after one weekend it’s pretty clear, and stating the obvious, that we are going to have to up our game big time in CUSA. Same thing with softball. This is just a flat out better conference and we need more talent. CUSA last year finished 6th in conference RPI. CAA 13th. This year, and it’s early, CUSA is 9th while CAA is 24th. One college baseball site has a mid major poll. There are 4 CUSA teams in it. No CAA. Just a lot of good programs in this conference.

No favors in the CUSA schedule this week as Dallas Baptist comes to town.

Everyone is excited about football but its shame Delaware made this conference move and basically killed off all the remaining programs, just disregarded all of them just for football

JMU was ready for the jump up because they were competing for championships in all sports, we were no where near that level in CAA, and it's extremely exposed in CUSA and a lot of the other sports in the other conferences (Men's Soccer though looking good!!)

[Caribbean Hen]

Dallas Baptist, the best baseball team in CUSA, and La Tech, one of the better programs, have announced they are leaving the conference after this season (La Tech is in litigation over it) for greener pastures.

With respect to recent UD transfers who would have helped this year - Tyler August is pitching in relief for Liberty. He has thrown 13 innings thus far with a low era, 17 strikeouts, and 8 walks. Aiden Stewart, last year's starting second basemen, has not been getting much playing time thus far at Indiana. Owen Petrich, who starred at St. Joe's after leaving UD, moved on to Virginia Tech and is the starting third baseman.

Another UD transfer who didn’t see the field last year is at UMES

Henry Clausell

was listed as an infielder on the Delaware roster, but he is actually pitching this year for UMES….he’s not doing that well though…

[UDFootballFan]

Run ruled St Joes yesterday....only gave up 3 walks and 1 hit.

[CaliHen98]

Is anyone currently at the game vs Dallas Baptist?

[CaliHen98]

Would love to know what happened in the bottom of the 8th. We are up 1 run, 5-4, and we received 2 walks to start the the inning. But with runners on 1st and 2nd and nobody out, the 8th and 9th place hitters in our lineup end up both striking out? I would LOVE to know if either of them tried to lay a sac bunt down to get runners to 2nd and 3rd with 1 out (or 2 outs) for the top of the lineup, or if they both were sent to the plate with the green light???

[Udforever1]

Well a nice start to the series, Hens take game 1 from Dallas Baptist 5-4.

Cali, I was watching but missed the bottom of the 8th, so not sure.