The fall season went really well for the Delaware State baseball program as the Hornets look to take a major step forward in the Northeast Conference (NEC) after a disappointing 2023 spring season learning and growing in a new conference and dealing with the new adversity that comes with it.
Fall ball had some bright spots on the mound with freshmen Michael Lane, Eddie De Valle, Ricky Gonzalez, Kieran Etwaru, sophomores Jack Messmore and Nathan Vidmar along with senior Hiram Davis in the bullpen.
Offensively, Delaware State is looking to replace St. Louis Cardinal draftee Trey Paige, but the coaching staff bring back 7 of the 9 guys that played every day last season. In the infield, Chris Amparo, Evan Bouldin, Jan Carlos Colon and Krew Bouldin, all had big falls and are looking to take the next step forward this spring after a good 2023 seasons. In the outfield, Alec Rodriguez, Wilfredo Mendez, and Brady Daniels all had big falls leading the way after getting some good experience in the NEC last spring.
Catcher Nick Gnardellis continued to build on his Black College Nines Freshman of the Year selection last spring and has really developed offensively as he had a big fall with the bat along with Jack Messmore who has developed into a true two-way player for the Hornets this fall. Head Coach Jean Blandin and his coaching staff are excited to see their guys compete in the upcoming spring.
The winningest coach in the history of Delaware State athletics, Blandin completed his 23rd season as head of the Hornets’ baseball program in May 2023. He has guided DSU to a school record 504 wins. This past April 16, 2023, Blandin recorded a milestone in coaching wins in a doubleheader sweep over Norfolk State for number 499 and 500 for his career.