Raleigh, N.C. (Feb. 25, 2011) --- Delaware State scored eight runs in the top of the seventh inning en route to a 16-8 win over North Carolina Central in the Hornets' season opener this afternoon.

North Carolina Central scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the score at 8-8. The Hornets responded with eight runs in their next at-bat.  The go-ahead run scored on a North Carolina Central throwing error. Samantha Gross had a run scoring double in the inning, which also featured two hits by Casey Beighly and a triple by Andrea Waters. The Hornets sent 13 batters to the plate in the inning. Delaware State was also aided by four NCCU errors and wild pitch in the eighth.

The Hornets opened the scoring with five runs in the top of the first inning. Janelle Lukens doubled in Jordan Reid for the game's first run. Beighly, Waters and Stephanie Martello also had run-scoring hits in the first.

Breanne Parr singled in a run in the top of the second to give DSU a 6-0 lead.

After North Carolina Central scored a run in the bottom of the fifth, the Hornets answered with two in the sixth on a two-run double by Allison Rubin to open up an 8-1 lead.

North Carolina Central scored seven runs on seven hits in the bottom of the sixth to tie the score.

Beighly had three of the Hornets' 15 hits. Five other DSU players had two hits.