8:04 a.m., May 16, 2007--Despite a wild ninth inning rally, the University of Delaware baseball team fell 8-5 to host Rutgers University in a non-conference game played Tuesday afternoon in Piscataway, N.J.

The Fightin' Blue Hens fell behind 8-0 before scoring five runs in the top of the ninth. UD had the bases loaded with two outs but Rutgers reliever Chris Lillis coaxed a ground ball to shortstop out of catcher Bill Merkler to end the game.

UD third baseman Ryan Jablonski had three hits and Merkler and first baseman Adam Tsakonas had two each. Right fielder Danny Overcash had a big hit for the Hens, a three-run homer.

With the loss, the Hens are 27-20. They will close the regular season with a three-game Colonial Athletic Association series against James Madison University at Bob Hannah Stadium. The teams will meet at 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, May 17-18, and at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 19.

UD has clinched a spot in the six-team CAA championship tournament, which will be played May 23-26 at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. The Hens are 16-10 in the conference and are in second place, one game back of the leader, Old Dominion University.