TOWSON, Md. - The Delaware State University softball team had a big first inning, but the bats went quiet over the final six as the Hornets fell, 4-3, to Towson University Thursday afternoon.
DSU scored three runs on four hits and one error in the first frame of the game.
With two outs in the top of the first, junior Casey Beighley (Los Angeles, Calif.) singled to center and advanced to second on the throw. Freshman Ashley Davis (Seattle, Wash.) followed with her own single to center to score baserunner Stephanie Martello (Oxnard, Calif.). The Hornets then executed a double steal with Davis moving to second and Beighley scoring. Senior Janelle Lukens (Williamsport, Pa.) singled to left and advanced to second on the throw while Davis scored the third and final run of the game for DSU.
The Tigers responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the first with a sacrifice fly from Andrea Stevenson and then scored another run in the third to make things 3-2.
The next three innings were relatively quiet for both sides before Erika Stasch cranked out a two-run to center field as the Tigers stole the game from the Hornets, 4-3.
Lukens went 3-for-3 on the day with one RBI while Davis was 1-for-3 with a run, RBI and stolen base.
Freshman Stephanie Sarris (Rohnert Park, Calif.) took the loss for DSU (25-13) while giving up two hits, two runs (both earned) and one walk in one-and-a-third innings pitched to move to 7-3 on the season. Dominique Ortega earned the win for Towson (19-21), giving up eight hits, three runs (all earned), one walk and striking out four in seven innings to move to 7-10 on the season.
The Hornets wrap up their non-conference schedule as they travel to College Park, Md. on Wed., April 27 to take on the Maryland Terrapins. The doubleheader begins at 5 p.m.
