Delaware pounds Lehigh, reaches Liberty Bell Classic title game

Delaware advanced to the Liberty Bell Classic baseball finals with a 15-7 semifinal win at Lehigh on Wednesday.

The Blue Hens (15-14) face Lafayette (12-21) in the title game at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Wilmington Charter graduate Kyle Baker had two hits and drove in four runs for Delaware.

Dover High grad Jordan Hutchins was 3-for-5 with two RBIs as he continued filling in at third base for fifth-year senior Diaz Nardo, out with a back injury.

Leadoff man Kevin Mohollen reached base six times on three hits and three walks and scored four runs.

Freshman starting pitcher Joey Haass (1-0) out of Polytech High allowed three hits in five innings for his first college win.

Adair named Team USA coach

Delaware women’s basketball coach Natasha Adair has been named an assistant coach for the United States women’s under-18 national team.

The U.S. team will compete in the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, though dates and location have not been set. The top four finishers reach the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup.

 “To be named as an assistant coach for USA Basketball is not only an honor, but a dream come true,” Adair said in a UD press release. “I’m extremely proud to be working with phenomenal coaches and players this coming summer. I understand the commitment, responsibility and pride that is required to represent the United States of America. When I put on the red, white and blue, it is to coach, lead and guide some of the country’s best and brightest players to the ultimate achievement of winning a gold medal and representing the USA in the highest regard.”

Louisville coach Jeff Walz is the U18 team’s head coach, and UCLA coach Cori Close is the other assistant. Adair worked as an on-court coach during team trials last summer.

Delaware went 19-13, reached the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament semifinals and earned a WNIT berth in 2017-18, its first season under Adair.

Eagles announce preseason schedule

The Eagles announced their opponents for their four preseason games. They will start the preseason with a home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers sometime between Aug. 9-13. Their next game will be on the road against the New England Patriots, sometime between Aug. 16-20. The third game will be at the Cleveland Browns at 8 p.m. Aug. 23 and will be televised by Fox. The preseason finale will be against the New York Jets on either Aug. 30 or 31 at home.

The regular-season schedule will be released later this month. But the Eagles are slated to open the season on Sept. 6 at home, reportedly against the Minnesota Vikings, the Eagles' opponent in the NFC Championship Game.

Prep athletes take next step

Salisbury University will be the collegiate destination for two Caravel athletes. Both basketball player Kaylee Otlowski, a third-team All-State selection this season, and softball player Grace Walker, a second-team All-State selection last spring, have decided to continue their careers with the Sea Gulls.

Cassie LeCates, a senior at James Bennett (Md.) High who plays on the Delaware DVA travel team, will sign to play volleyball at High Point University next week.

Hens sweep Hornets in softball

Delaware swept visiting Delaware State in a nonconference softball doubleheader Wednesday, winning the opener 2-1 in eight innings and 10-5 in the nightcap.

Jordan Cargile pitched a three-hitter for the Blue Hens (10-25) in the opener. Micaela Cummings’ RBI single put the Hornets (9-23) up 1-0 in the top of the eighth inning. Delaware tied it in the home eighth, and with batters reaching on two errors and a walk, Mariah Kondravy lined a single to right-center field to score the winning run.

Delaware scored eight runs in the second inning of the second game as Chayanna Gallardo had a pair of RBI doubles.