Dover, Del. (Feb. 15, 2013) --- Delaware State jumped on Charlotte for five runs in the top of the second inning, but allowed seven in the bottom of the inning in a 13-7 loss to the 49ers in the season opener for each team at Hayes Stadium today.

Shane Basen and Brett Lang drove in three runs each, while Grant Dunnegen and Justin Seager knocked in two each to lead Charlotte's 10-hit attack.

Ryan Haas, the 2013 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Pre-season Player-of-the-Year, had a double and three RBI for the Hornets.  Haas, the Hornets' starting pitcher, also took the loss in the contest.

After a scoreless first inning, Delaware State drew first blood with five runs in the second inning.

Aaron Nardone was walked to lead off the inning. The next batter, Joey Babuca, reached base on a fielder choice and advanced to third on a throwing error, allowing Nardone to score the game's first run. After DSU recorded its first out, Babuca scored on a passed ball to give the Hornets a 2-0 lead. The next batter, DJ Miller, drew a walk and Justin Allen singled in the infield to put Hornet runners on first and second with one out. JP Frey moved the runners up a base on a sacrifice bunt. After Cameron Cecil walked to load the bases, Haas doubled down the left field line to score all three runners and give the Hornets a 5-0 lead.

Charlotte responded with seven runs in the bottom of the second to grab the lead. Basen had a three-run double in the inning and Lang drove in the go-ahead runs with a one-out double.

The Hornets scored a run in the top of the third to pull to within one. Nardone again led off the inning with a walk. He later stole second and moved to third on a groundout. Miller cut the 49ers' lead to 7-6 with a  two-out infield single to score Nardone.

Charlotte gave itself a little breathing room with two runs in the last of the fourth on a two-out single by Dunnegan to open up a 9-6 lead.

Delaware State pulled to within 9-7 with a run in the seventh. Catcher Eddie Sorondo singled to lead off the inning, and later scored on a groundout by pinch hitter Mike Alexander.

Charlotte answered with four runs in the bottom of the seventh to close out the scoring.

The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday and wrap up the series with a single game on Sunday.