DOVER (March 28, 2009) ? The Delaware State Baseball Team (9-11-1, 1-1 MEAC) split its doubleheader with the UMES Hawks (6-20, 4-1 MEAC) on Saturday, March 28 at Soldier Field, dropping the first game, 5-2, and winning the second contest, 18-5. Despite the game one loss, DSU finished the day hitting .403 (27-of-67) with 20 runs scored versus the Hawks. DSU's pitching staff struck out 20 UMES batters and finished the doubleheader with a 2.25 ERA.

During the first game, starting pitcher Dan Perkins pitched a gem, allowing three runs (none earned) on five hits while striking out a career-high 10 batters in seven innings of action. An error-plagued fifth inning led to the Newark, Del., native's third loss of the season. Perkins dropped to 1-3 on the year but, improved his season ERA to 3.06 and increased his strikeout total to 31.

Jared Lineweaver led all Hornets reaching base safely in each of his four plate appearance in the game (one hit, two walks, one hit-by-pitch). Lineweaver drove in one run in the contest. First baseman Ross Babineaux went 2-for-4 from the plate, recording his fifth double of the season.

UMES' Pat Hercinger tallied a game-high three hits during game one, scoring a run in the eighth inning. Designated hitter Bryan Chaikowsky and catcher Ben Vasko each notched two hits in the game. Chaikowsky went 2-for-3 versus the Hornets, while Vakso batted 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.

Pitcher Matt Witte earned his second win of the season, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out seven in a complete-game victory.

DSU jumped out to an early 1-0 lead following an RBI single by Lineweaver. UMES responded with two runs in the top of the fifth. A total of three errors were committed by the Hornets in the top half of the inning, leading to both UMES runs. The Hawks added a run in the top of the seventh as Phil Vaughn drove in the team's third run of the game. Two more runs in the top of the eighth extended UMES' lead to 5-1. With the bases loaded, Vasko single to left field, scoring runners from second and third to give Maryland-Eastern Shore a four-run advantage. DSU loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth but, could only score one run, dropping game one, 5-2.

In the second contest of the day, DSU jumped out to an early 6-0 lead following a six run, six hit first inning and never looked back. Scoring at least one run in every inning, the Hornets rattled of 18 runs on 20 hits to tie the series a one game a-piece. Ten difference DSU batters registered a hit in the contest, including Babineaux, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored. Babineaux recorded his first home run of the season with a solo shot to lead off the fifth inning. Right fielder Mike Rizzuto also drove in three runs, hitting 2-for-3, including the first home run of his DSU career.

Senior Josh Schmidt (3-3) picked up his third win of the season, allowing five runs (two earned) on seven hits in seven innings pitched. The right-hander struck out eight batters following his third complete game of the 2009 season.

Cameron Zimmerman (2-4) suffered the loss, giving up nine runs on 11 hits in two innings of action. The Hawks utilized four pitchers which allowed 18 runs and 20 hits, striking out seven DSU hitters in the contest.

On the day, eight DSU hitters recorded batting average of .300-or-better, including Lineweaver, who reached base safely in each of his eight plate appearances during the doubleheader. Lineweaver scored two runs, while driving in two. Babineaux went 6-for-8 on the day with three RBI and three runs scored. The Torrence, Calif., native recorded 10 total bases for a slugging percentage of 1.250.

Delaware State will close out its three-game series with the UMES Hawks on Sunday, March 29. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.