Homegrown Blue Hens: These Delaware high school grads having strong spring for UD sports

University of Delaware students are on spring break this week.

But there’s no vacation for those on in-season sports teams. They continue with practices and competitions but without having to worry as much about schoolwork.

The spring season is still in its early stages as teams build toward May conference championships.

As a Division I school, Delaware’s rosters are difficult to make and it’s hardly surprising that a select few in-state high school graduates inhabit them.

But as the spring season heats up, here are 14 First State products who’ve boosted their Blue Hen teams, listed alphabetically.

Not surprisingly this list is dominated by baseball, which long has been particularly adept at putting homegrown talent on the field. Delaware opened its CAA schedule last weekend by taking two of three at nationally ranked Campbell.

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Tyler August, baseball

The freshman out of Delaware Military Academy had some high-level opportunities coming out of high school but preferred to play at Delaware, where dad Brian, now the Wilmington University coach, starred after graduating from Saint Mark’s. August was elevated from the Blue Hens’ No. 2 starting pitcher to No. 1 last week. He has shown his talent and potential but also learned the difficulties that come with the move up to the college game. The hard-throwing right-hander is fourth in the CAA with 36 strikeouts but has also walked 25 in 21⅔ innings.

Christina Carroll, golf

The senior out of William Penn is wrapping up a stellar UD career. Her 75.51 stroke average is No. 5 in UD history and features five rounds in the 60s. She is at 75.00 this season, No. 2 on the team, through seven tournaments with two Top-10 finishes.

Christian Colmery, baseball

Delaware has frequently needed clutch relief pitching and the Saint Mark’s graduate has periodically provided it. His 4.66 ERA is tied for second best on the team and Colmery earned his first collegiate win Tuesday at Penn.

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Hank D’Ambrogi, lacrosse

The only Delawarean on either of the Blue Hens’ two lacrosse teams, D’Ambrogi has quickly earned a role after transferring from CAA rival Fairfield. The sophomore midfielder from Cape Henlopen has four goals and two assists for the 4-3 Hens.

Veronica Diomede, softball

The freshman out-of-state champion Caravel has earned a part-time role for the CAA-leading Blue Hens. Diomede has started 12 games and played in 23 for 21-7 Delaware, which has won 10 straight. She’s batting .222 and homered in Sunday’s win at Stony Brook. An All-State shortstop for Caravel, Diomede has been playing left field.

Sarah Donaldson, rowing

The senior captain out of Saint Mark’s is on the first varsity eights crew that opened this spring with a win against Saint Joseph’s.

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Jake Dunion, baseball

The second baseman/center fielder out of Salesianum is the Blue Hens’ leading hitter with a .382 average that ranks ninth in the CAA.

Bryce Greenly, baseball

While Greenly hasn’t pitched since two early-season starts, the Milford grad continues to provide offensive firepower at DH for the Hens. His .311 average ranks third on the team.

Stephanie Herrera, track and field

The former Saint Mark’s state champion distance runner placed fourth in the 5,000 meters in 17:38.62, a personal record by almost 90 seconds, at the season-opening Fred Hardy Invitational at the University of Richmond.

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Matthew Homer, golf

The two-time DIAA boys champion out of Tatnall has quickly established himself as a UD freshman. His stroke average through three career tournaments is 72.11, third best on the team, and he has a best-round score of 69 with a slew of spring tests looming.

Brett Lesher, baseball

The Newark Charter alum has played a strong shortstop for Delaware, which leads the CAA in fielding and has a league-low 15 errors. While batting just .210, Lesher has also produced some periodic bottom-of-the-order punch with three home runs, including a grand slam in Tuesday's win at Penn.

Eric Ludman, baseball

Ludman has provided some pop for the Blue Hens, as the Saint Mark’s alum has smacked three home runs in his senior season while earning duty at first base and also throwing a couple of innings of relief.

Ryleigh Thomas, softball

The Saint Mark's High graduate and UD freshman is batting .368 in a reserve role for the CAA leaders and also has a strong pitching outing to her credit in a win over Lehigh.

Jackson Tyer, baseball

The DMA grad earned his first start of the season Sunday in center field at Campbell and went 3-for-4 with a double and a walk. He followed that with a 2-for-4 at Penn. He’s batting .500 (8-for-16) on the season.

Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware high school graduates having strong spring for UD Blue Hens