DOVER (March 22, 2009) ? Senior Justin Bittner earned his second win of the season, allowing two runs (one earned) while scattering seven hits and striking out three to guide Delaware State (8-9-1) to a 5-2 victory over Wagner (6-6) on Sunday, March 22 at Soldier Field. Bittner also went 1-for-4 from the plate, including his third home run of the series.
The win gave DSU the series victory (3-1) over the Seahawks and concluded a 14-game home stand for the Hornets.
Bittner (2-0, 4.50 ERA, 12 K) allowed just one earned run in the contest, lowering his season ERA to 4.50. The Newark, Del., native made his fifth start of the season, facing 28 batters in five and two-thirds innings pitched. The right-hander also finished the weekend series hitting .412 (7-for-17) with four RBI and three runs scored and a slugging percentage of 1.000. James Johnson crushed his first home run of the 2009 season, driving a two-run blast over the left-field fence in the bottom of the eighth. The Dover, Del., native finished the day batting 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. Jared Linerweaver, who led all Hornets this weekend hitting .692 (9-for-13) versus the Seahawks, went 2-for-3 with a run scored on Sunday.
Jose Portela pitched a strong two and one-third innings out of the bullpen, allowing no run on two hits while striking out four. Brandon Penick picked up his second save of the season, coming in the top of the ninth as DSU held a 5-2 lead. Penick allowed just one hit, while sealing the victory for the Hornets.
Delaware State started the scoring with an RBI single by Troy Drummond in the bottom of the third. Wagner responded with a two-run inning in the top of the fourth to take a 2-1 lead. A solo home run by Jon Lucas and a sacrifice fly by Chris Drechsel gave the Seahawks their first and only lead of the afternoon. Bittner tied the game in the bottom of the fourth with a leadoff home run to right. It marked Bittner's third home run and second as the leadoff hitter of the series. An RBI double by Jose Sanchez gave DSU a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth. Johnson's two-run blast added some insurance runs for the Hornets in the bottom of the eighth, 5-2.
Despite allowing 10 hits on the afternoon, DSU held Wagner to just two runs as the Seahawks stranded 13 base runners. Defensively, DSU held Wagner to 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position (.077) and allowed just one base runner to cross home plate from third base (1-for-7 with a runner on third). The Seahawks went 10-for-33 (.303) on the day but, were held to 1-for-17 (.059) with runners on base.
Wagner was led by Jon Lucas, who went 3-for-4 with and RBI and a run scored. Lucas hit his first home run of the season with a solo shot in the top of the fourth. Jon Conforti batted 2-for-4 on the day and was Wagner's only other multiple-hit batter of the contest.
Mark Holmes (0-1) earned the start as was credited with loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits in four and two-thirds innings of action.
Delaware State will travel to Philadelphia, Pa., to take on the La Salle Explorers on Wednesday, March 25. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
