6:14 p.m., May 23, 2007--The University of Delaware baseball team exploded for seven runs in the fourth inning to defeat George Mason University 13-3 in its opener in the Colonial Athletic Association championship tournament on Wednesday afternoon in Wilmington, N.C.

UD starting pitcher Billy Harris worked eight innings to earn the win, raising his record this season to 7-1. Ryan Jablonski, Brandon Menchaca and Bryan Hagerich had three hits each for the Hens, with Jablonski also driving in four runs and scoring three. Alex Buchholz, Adam Tsakonas and Bill Merkler had two hits each, as the Fightin' Blue Hens had 18 hits in all.

In the decisive fourth inning, Hagerich led off with a home run and later singled home another run while Menchaca had a two-run single. Jablonski hit a solo home run in the sixth and a two-run shot in the seventh to extend the lead.

It was the 30th victory of the season for the Hens.

In other action, Old Dominion University defeated Georgia State University 5-2 and Virginia Commonwealth University defeated the host University of North Carolina Wilmington 4-3.

The Hens will take on Virginia Commonwealth at 7 p.m., Thursday.