Princess Anne, Md. (April 2, 2010) - Delaware State rallied from an 8-0 deficit to defeat Maryland-Eastern Shore 9-8 in the MEAC opener for the Hornets at Hawk Stadium this afternoon.

Tony Gatto drove in the winning run with a one-out double in the top of the eighth inning for the Hornets.

After retiring Delaware State in the top of the first, UMES scored six runs in the bottom of the inning off DSU starter Zach Adkins. Elliot Alston's two run homer was the highlight of the inning for the Hawks.

The Hawks appeared headed for an easy victory after adding two runs in the fourth to open up an 8-0 lead.

Delaware State began its comeback in the top of the fifth. Abe Eubank doubled in the Hornets' first run and Gatto drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to cut the Hawks' lead to 8-2.

The Hornets pulled to within 8-4 when Elliot Gardner smacked a two-run homer in the sixth.

Delaware State evened the game with four runs in the seventh. Eubank led off the inning with a homer to make it an 8-5 score. Gatto followed with a walk, Ryan Haas then singled and Mike Rizzuto drew a walk to load the bases with none out. Gatto and Haas came around to score when a fly ball off the bat of Joey Babuca was dropped by UMES right fielder Donnie Haines to pull the Hornets to within 8-7. Two batters later, DSU tied the game at 8-8 when Rizzuto scored on a sacrifice fly by Jose Portela.

In the eighth, Eubnak singled with one out and raced home with the go-ahead run on Gatto's doubled to right center.

Derek Marshalsea pitched to scoreless inning to earn the win for the Hornets. Portela retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning to record a save.

Eubank was 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Gardner and Gatto drove in two runs each for DSU.

The Hornets and Hawks will wrap up the series with a doubleheader on Saturday in Princess Anne, Md.