Dover, Del. (Mar. 22, 2011)--- Delaware State scored five runs in the first inning in an 8-1 victory over Delaware at the DSU softball complex today. The Hornets won their seventh straight game to improve to 13-8 this season.  DSU also won its second straight over the Hens, although UD holds a 23-3 lead in the series between the state's only Division I softball programs.

The Hornets opened the scoring when lead-off batter Jordan Reid was hit by a pitch, stole second base and came around to score on a single by Janelle Lukens in the first inning. Lukens was 2-for-4 in the contest, and has seven hits in nine at bats in the last three games. She is batting .492 this season (30-for-61).

Three batters later, Stephanie Martello singled to score Lukens with the Hornets' second run.  Ashlyn Campbell then walked with the bases loaded to give DSU a 3-0 lead. Tawny Reeger capped off the rally with a two-run, two-out single to drive in the fourth and fifth runs of the inning.

Delaware State added two unearned runs in the third inning to open up a 7-0 lead. The Hornets benefited from three Blue Hen  errors and a passed ball in the inning.

After Delaware scored its lone run on a DSU error in the fourth, the Hornets capped off the scoring on a double by Andrea Waters in the fifth.

Reeger, Martello and Casey Beighly also had two hits each for Delaware State.

Campbell was also the winning pitcher. She allowed five hits and one unearned run, while striking out six in 4.1 innings. Fellow freshman Stephanie Sarris tossed 2.2 innings of one-hit relief for the Hornets.

Delaware State will return to action on Thursday at home against Rhode Island. Game time is 2:00 p.m. at the DSU softball field.