NORFOLK, Va. (May 15, 2008) ? A walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth by FAMU's Tim Schalch handed the Delaware State University Baseball Team (16-32) a 7-6 loss to the Rattlers (20-20) during the first round of the 2008 MEAC Baseball Tournament at Marty L. Miller Baseball Field on the campus of Norfolk (Va.) State University.

Four different Hornet batters registered multiple-hits in the game. Freshman Troy Drummond and junior Ryne Mailen each went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Infielder Jose Sanchez went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while third baseman Jim Johnson hit 2-for-3 with a run driven in.

Starter Josh Schmidt allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits in eight innings of action. The right-hander struck out eight Rattler batters on the day. Reliever Tony Tevis picked up the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits in one-third inning pitched.

The Hornets led the entire contest until the final at-bat of the game.

DSU jumped out to a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth inning. FAMU battled back, scoring three in the bottom half of the fourth to cut into the Hornets' lead, 5-3. The Rattlers scored one in their half of the sixth to make it a one-run game. DSU extended its lead with a run in the eighth. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth, a single by Schalch tied the contest a 6-all with the go-ahead crossing the plate on a fielding error.

With the loss DSU falls into the loser's bracket and will face the winner of the Norfolk State/Maryland Eastern Shore contest on Friday, May 16. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.