Daytona Beach, Fla. (May 20, 2011) --- The Delaware State baseball team has been eliminated from the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament after a 9-3 loss to Norfolk State at Jackie Robinson Park this evening.

The Hornets suffered their second tournament loss to the Spartans in two days to end the season with a 26-29 overall record. DSU avoided elimination with a 3-2 victory over North Carolina A&T earlier today. Norfolk State will take on Bethune-Cookman in the championship round on Saturday.

Delaware State opened the scoring in the contest with two runs in the top of the first inning. Keith Hernandez led off the game with a walk. Troy Drummond followed with a single to put runners at first and second. Two batters later, Aaron Nardone drew a walk to load the bases. After Norfolk State recorded the second out of the inning, Scott Davis followed with a two-run single to give the Hornets a 2-0 lead.

Norfolk State answered with three runs off DSU starter Ryan Haas (3-1) in the bottom of the first to take the lead. The big blow in the inning was a two-run single by John Rasberry.

The Spartans added a run in the second to open up a 4-2 lead. The run scored when Rasberry drew a bases loaded walk to pick up his third RBI of the game.

Norfolk State's Brandon Hairston singled in two runs in the fourth to give the Spartans a 6-2 lead.

Delaware State trailed 9-2 when Eddie Sorondo drove in a run on a groundout to close out the scoring.

Davis was 2-for-4 at the plate to end the season with a .418 average.

Norfolk State's Justin Bhatti (3-6) allowed three runs in four hits, while striking out three to earn the win.