Dover (Mar. 14, 2009 --- Delaware State was held to just five hits in a doubleheader loss to Savannah State at Soldier Field on Saturday. The Tigers won the first game 2-1, then completed the sweep of the seven-inning twin-bill with a 3-0 victory in the nightcap.
In the opener, Savannah State's Robert Ramsdale tossed a four-hit complete game to improve to 2-1 on the season. Ramsdale was breezing along with a 2-0 lead until the Hornets launched a two-out threat in the last of the seventh inning. Pinch-hitter Abe Eubanks singled, and Ryne Mailen followed with a walk to put runners at first and second. The next batter, pinch-hitter Josh Harris, hit a grounder that was booted by Savannah State second baseman Darien Campbell, allowed pinch runner Warren Simpson to score and Mailen to advance to third. Ramsdale shut down the rally by striking out DSU's Jose Sanchez to end the game.
The Hornets were trailing 2-0 with a runner on and two outs in the sixth, but Savannah State right fielder Dexter Kelly made a diving catch on a line drive by Ross Babineaux to end the inning.
Savannah State, which has just three hits in the opener, scored single runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
Ramsdale scattered four singles, while striking out five and walking two.
Delaware State starter Dan Perkins (0-2) was the tough-luck loser for the Hornets. Perkins allowed two runs on two hits in six innings. He struck out six and walked two.
In the nightcap, Savannah State's Michael Allegretti hurled a one-hit complete game to improve to 2-2 on the season. The only hit he allowed was a two-out double by Mike Rizzuto in the fourth inning.
The Tigers scored the only run they needed on a two-out double by Andrew Mendez in the top of the first inning. Savannah State added two insurance runs in the fifth.
Delaware State starter Josh Schmidt (2-2) pitched well enough to win, but was hurt by the lack of run support. Schmidt allowed eight hits and three runs, two of which were earned. He struck out six and walked just one.
The Hornets have lost seven straight to fall to 4-7-1 on the season, while the Tigers snapped a two-game losing streak to improve to 7-9.
The teams will wrap up the weekend series with a single game on Sunday. The first pitch is scheduled to 12:00 p.m. at Soldier Field.
