DOVER, Del. (April 8, 2009) ? The Delaware State Softball Team (13-13, 2-1 MEAC) split its doubleheader with the UMES Lady Hawks (13-10) on Wednesday, April 8 at the Hornets' Nest on the campus DSU. The non-conference contests were the fourth and fifth-straight meetings between the two teams as UMES took Game One, 10-1 (6 innings) and DSU won Game Two, 11-3 (5 innings).
Hannah Mills (2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored) and Ebony Hahn (2-for-4 with an RBI and one runs scored) led the Lady Hawks to a Game One victory as UMES tallied 10 runs on eight hits. A four-run second inning broke open the game as UMES handed DSU its 13th loss of the season.
Jo Jo Shields led all Lady Hornets with a 2-for-3 performance in the first game, scoring DSU's lone run of the contest. An RBI single by Andrea Waters (1-for-2) drove in Shields in the bottom of the fourth to pull the Lady Hornets within six runs, 7-1. Delaware State tallied seven hits in the game but could bring in only one run.
DSU committed three errors in the game, leading to the lopsided loss.
Brittney Ruark was saddled with the loss, allowing one run on two hits in just one-third of an inning pitched. Casey Beighly and Breanne Parr each came on for Ruark to round out the game's pitching staff. Beighly allowed six runs (one earned) on five hits, while striking out five UMES batters in three and two-thirds innings pitched. Parr threw the final two innings of action, allowing three runs on one hit while walking five Hawk hitters.
In game two, both DSU and UMES came out strong, scoring a combined nine run in the first frame. Maryland-Eastern Shore scored three runs in the top of the first to put DSU in an early hole. However, the Lady Hornets responded with six run of their own to take a 6-3 lead after one inning. The six-run first sparked a strong offensive performance for DSU, which never trailed during the remainder of the game. The Lady Hornets poured in 11 runs on 13 hits during Game Two.
Each of DSU's starting nine batters registered at least one hit in the game. Shield recorded two doubles in the game, going 2-for-3 with four RBI and a run scored. Second baseman Tawny Reeger batted 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored. Parr knocked in a run and scoring two more, batting 2-for-3 versus the Lady Hawks.
Ruark made her second start of the day, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out four in five innings of action. Ruark picked up her eighth win of the season and also set the school record for innings pitched (359.0 innings pitched).
Delaware State will return to conference action, hosting the Coppin State Lady Eagles in a three-game series beginning Friday, April 10. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
