(Dover, Del.) – Looking to complete the final day of the Hornet Invite on a high note, the Delaware State softball team (10-6) Sunday afternoon inched out a 1-0 win over the Hartford Hawks (2-11), but came up short to the Lehigh Mountain Hawks (8-10) with a 1-0 loss in the nightcap.
With the win, the Hornets picked up their third victory over the Hawks throughout the weekend, while LU went undefeated with a pair of wins over DSU and Hartford.
Against the Hawks, DSU had a chance to take an early lead in the first with the bases loaded and two outs, but outfielder Jessica Madrid went down swinging to end the inning.
In the case HU, its best scoring opportunity occurred in the fourth with runners at first and second after a Jackie Kelly single up the middle. Nevertheless, the Hornets got out of the jam with reliever Tara Tursellino (5-1) forcing outfielder Mackenzie Obert to fly out to center.
Delaware State, meanwhile, broke through in the fifth with runners in scoring position when catcher Rochelle Sablay eked out an infield single to short as outfielder Kaitlyn Slater, who reached on an error to lead off the inning, scored the lone run of the game.
To close out of the contest, the Hawks did not go away quietly as they tallied back-to-back singles after DSU retired the first two batters. In an effort to secure the win, Tursellino was replaced by freshman Vanessa Ciocatto (2) in the circle, resulting in infielder Amber Andrews popping up to second for the final out.
At game's end, both teams finished with five hits and two errors, while Gazzola went 2-for-3 to lead all players. Pitching wise, Tursellino picked up the win in three innings of work after replacing starter Rachel Meagley (1-1).
With the Hornets looking to avenge a tough 1-0 loss yesterday, Sunday's nightcap against Lehigh was a thriller, but with Delaware State coming up short.
In the seventh, no score, outfielder Ashley Cole drove in the game-winning run with a double to left field to bring in outfielder Jessica Calvini, who doubled to lead off the inning.
With a chance to win it, Delaware State managed to load the bases with one out after infielder Jordan Sablay was drilled by pitcher Christine Campbell (4-3). Next up, infielder Danielle Velez reached on fielder's choice, but catcher Sandy Hawthorne, who singled to lead off the frame, was thrown out at home. Down to their last out, Campbell forced Slater to line out to left field to secure the win for LU.
For the game, Lehigh totaled six hits, compared to DSU's four with outfielder Mackenzie Velasquez going 2-for-4 to lead all players. In the circle, Campbell picked up the win while allowing four hits, one walk and tallying a game-high four strikeouts in five innings after replacing Emily Bausher (2-5).
Coming up, the Hornets will host the Sean Savage Epilepsy Awareness Tournament this weekend (March 21 – 23) against Central Connecticut State and Cornell.
*Note: Monday's doubleheader against Columbia has been postponed for a later date.
