DOVER (March 21, 2009) ? The Delaware State Baseball Team (7-9-1) split a doubleheader with the Wagner Seahawks (6-5), losing the first game, 6-2, and winning the second contest, 7-3, on Saturday, March 21 at Solider Field. With the split, DSU has taken a 2-1 advantage in the weekend series heading into Sunday's fourth and final game versus the Seahawks.

The Hornets finished the day hitting .448 (26-for-58) over the two-game set. Leading the way for the Hornets was senior Ross Babineaux, who hit .857 (6-for-7) versus Wagner with a double and an RBI. Jared Lineweaver and Abe Eubank each went 4-for-6 on the day with Lineweaver crossing home plate twice and Eubank scoring one run and driving in another as the 6-foot-3 first baseman crushed the first home run on his DSU career. Senior Justin Bittner finished the day hitting 5-for-8, including two home runs with a team-high three RBI.

In game one, Delaware State took a 2-0 lead through four innings as starting pitcher Josh Schmidt retired 12 of the first 14 batters, including the first eight. The right-hander did not allow a Wagner hit until the fifth inning. DSU scored in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by Babineaux and added another in the bottom of the fourth following an RBI single by Ryne Mailen. The single by Mailen was the first hit for the Sterling, Pa., native on the season. Wagner responded with three runs in the top of the fifth and three more in the top of the sixth to take a 6-2 lead. DSU had a chance to cut into the Seahawks' lead, loading the bases in the bottom of the fifth. However, the Hornets were unable to drive any more runs in. Despite 12 hits in the contest, DSU mustered only two runs, stranding 10 base runners in the game.

The Seahawks were led Joe Conforti, who went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Jack Rice (1-for-1) and Brian Martutartus (1-for-2) each drove in two runs in the Seahawk victory.

Picking up the win was right-hander Kyle Morrison (3-1), who allowed two runs while scattering 11 hits and striking out eight in six innings pitched.

Schmidt (2-3) was credited with the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits while striking out six in six innings of action. With six Ks, Schmidt improved on his season strikeout total to 33.

During the second game of the day, Delaware State rebounded registering seven runs on 14 hits. Bittner went 3-for-4, including two runs versus the Seahawks. The DSU second baseman drove in three runs and scored two in the Hornet victory. The two home runs and three RBI increased Bittner's team-leading totals to 23 runs batted in and five long balls on the year.

The Hornets got on the board with an RBI single by Sanchez in the bottom of the first. Wagner responded with a run on the top of the third to tie the score a 1-all. DSU added a run in the bottom of the fourth following Bittner's first home run of the game. Leading off the bottom half of the fourth, Bittner sent a 2-0 pitch over the fence in right-center to give the Hornets a 2-1 lead. The Seahawks tied the game once again in the top of the fifth following an RBI single by Vin Avella. Delaware State regained the lead tacking on two runs in the bottom of the fifth, 4-2. A two-run home run by Bittner regained the lead for DSU. The home run was Bittner's second in as many at-bats. Wagner cut into DSU's lead, scoring a run in the top of the sixth. However, the Hornets extended their lead with three runs in the bottom of the sixth, 7-3.

Freshman Jordan Elliott (0-1) made his fourth-career start, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out three. The right-hander earned a "no-decision", pitching in just four and one-third innings of action. Jose Portela (1-1) earned the victory, allowing one run on two hits in two-thirds of relief. Anthony Gibbons and Brandon Penick each came out of the bull pen to shut down Wagner's offense allowing just one hit during the final two innings of action.

Damian Csakai was the only Seahawk to register more than one in the contest (2-for-3 with a run scored) as Wagner tallied three runs on seven hits during the game.

Matt Watson (1-1) earned the loss, allowing three runs on eight hits in four and one-third innings of action.

Delaware State will close out its weekend series with Wagner on Sunday, March 22. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.