DOVER, Del. - With the bases loaded, one out and a full count in the bottom of the seventh inning, sophomore Stephanie Martello (Oxnard, Calif.) crushed a two-RBI single to right centerfield as the Delaware State University softball team (6-11) came from behind and defeated Saint Joseph's, 5-4, in exciting fashion Saturday afternoon in the first game of a doubleheader at the Hornets Nest.  The Hawks (7-14) shutout the Hornets, 10-0, and Taryn Ashley tossed a one-hitter for SJU in game two.

The Hawks led off the game scoring three runs on three hits and a Hornet error.

Del State responded immediately and posted three runs in the bottom of the inning.  Senior Jordan Reid (Accokeek, Md.) led off for the Hornets with a single up the middle and then scored with a triple to right field from fellow senior Tawny Reeger (Simi Valley, Calif.).  Martello walked and senior Breanne Parr (Camarillo, Calif.) reached on an error by first baseman Shannon Kramer while Reeger scored on the play.  As senior Rachel Carroll (Oxnard, Calif.) struck out, Parr stole second as Martello scored the team's third run before the end of the inning.

The two teams combined for zero runs and six hits over the next three innings.

Saint Joseph's took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth as Maria Ficca took her first pitch and homered to right center with two outs. 

The Hornets had one final opportunity in the seventh to win the game and they took full advantage.  Freshman Bria Green (Wheatley Heights, N.Y.) led off the bottom of the inning as shortstop Nicole Palase committed a throwing error to allow Green to reach base.  Senior Chelsea Stern (Owings, Md.) then executed a textbook sacrifice bunt to move Green to second.  Reid singled to left and advanced to second on the throw in and Green progressed to third.

With one out, Lauren Pembleton came in in relief for Erin Gallagher and Reeger, the first batter she faced, reached on another error from Kramer.  The Hornets had the bases loaded with just one out as Martello stepped to the plate and took a 3-2 pitch to right center to allow Green and Reid to score the game-winning runs.

Sophomore Stephanie Sarris (Rohnert Park, Calif.) earned the win for DSU to move to 4-2 on the year.  Sarris gave up just one hit with one strikeout in 2.1 innings of work.

Sarris relieved senior Casey Beighley (Los Angeles, Calif.), who went 4.2 innings, giving up seven hits, four runs (all earned) with two walks while striking out five.

The St. Patrick's Day luck didn't continue into the second game for Delaware State as SJU turned a seven-run fourth inning into a five-inning 10-0 win.

Hawk starter Taryn Ashway threw a one-hitter, allowing a single to freshman Rebekah Beeson (Bear, Del.) in the bottom of the fifth and eventually final inning.

Sarris (4-3) started game two for the Hornets and took the loss, pitching 3.1 innings and giving up 10 hits, seven runs (six earned) and one walk with no strikeouts.

Delaware State travels north on Wednesday to matchup with Route 1 Rival Delaware with a doubleheader beginning at 2:30 p.m.

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