Top seed Towson (33-19) lost the America East baseball tournament title to second seed Delaware, dropping both games of yesterday's doubleheader, 5-2 and 6-3, at Frawley Stadium in Wilmington, Del.

As conference champion, Delaware (35-23) earns an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

In the first game, two-time America East Player of the Year Kevin Mench hit a three-run homer off Tigers starter Bryan Simmering in the fourth inning to give the Blue Hens the lead for good at 3-1.

Delaware jumped out to a quick lead in the second game, scoring two runs in each of the first two innings. The Tigers cut the lead to 4-3 on run-scoring doubles from Tim Pritchard and Jason Rummel and an RBI single from Ryan Avila.

Third baseman Pritchard, pitcher Chris Russ, catcher Dusty Reynolds and outfielder Jason Sandner were named to the all-tournament team for the Tigers.

Pub Date: 5/23/99