PHILADELPHIA - Senior Brian Dudeck hit a three-run home run to put the La Salle University baseball team ahead in the first inning, but the Explorers allowed five runs in the sixth inning, leading to an 8-4 defeat at Delaware in their final road game of the season on Tuesday.

La Salle wasted no time in generating the offense, tallying three hits in the opening frame. Junior Peyton Sorrels singled before classmate Ben Faso was hit by pitch, and two batters later, Dudeck stepped in with two outs. The center fielder ripped a drive to right field that cleared the fence for his third homer of the season, putting the Explorers up 3-0.

Freshman pitcher Colin Kennedy worked his way out of a bases-loaded jam to keep the Blue Hens off the board in the first inning, but Delaware came right back in the second. After a Ben Werkheiser homer, Delaware loaded the bases once again, this time taking advantage with two runs to tie the game at three apiece.

The Blue Hens broke things open in the sixth inning as they brought in five runs on four hits and an error to go on top, 8-3.

Senior Rafael Amanau led off the seventh with a single up the middle and later came in to score on a sacrifice fly to left hit by Faso to make it 8-4. But the Explorers went hitless in the eighth and ninth frames, as the Blue Hens closed out the win.

Sorrels went 3-for-5 with a run to lead the way for La Salle, while Amanau and junior Kevin McGowan both reached base twice. Sophomore Niko Jenkins led the Explorers on the mound with 2.2 scoreless innings of relief.

The Explorers will close out the season at home when they host George Mason for a three-game Atlantic 10 series beginning on Thursday at 3 p.m.