Dover, Del. (Mar. 23, 2014) --- Delaware State could not overcome an early six-run deficit in an 8-6 MEAC North loss to Coppin State at Soldier Field today.

The Eagles won two of the three games in the series to improve to 6-12 overall and 4-2 in the MEAC. The Hornets fell to 11-8 and 3-3.

William Brown and Jeff Fitch and two hits and two hits and three runs batted in each to lead Coppin State's 12-hit attack.

David Kimbrough and Mike Alexander each had three hits and two RBI for DSU, which also collected 12 hits.

Coppin State started quickly, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Darien Percell singled in the first run and Brown smacked a two-run homer to account for CSU's first inning scores.

The Eagles added two runs in the top of the second inning to open up a 5-0 lead.

Delaware State cut into the deficit with two runs in the bottom of the second.

DJ Miller doubled to lead off the inning and scored the Hornets' first run when Mitchell Moore followed with a single to center. Kimbrough drove in the second run on a two-out double to score Eddie Sorondo, who reached base on a fielder's choice.

Coppin State tacked on three runs in the fourth, highlighted by Fitch's two-run single, to open up an 8-2 lead.   

The Hornets answered with three runs in the bottom of the fourth to pull to within 8-5. Alexander had a two-run single and Kimbrough singled in the third run of the inning.

Delaware State cut the Eagles' lead to 8-6 with a run in the fifth. Aaron Nardone walked to lead off the inning and later scored on a suicide squeeze bunt by Miller.

The Hornets put runners on base in each of the next three innings, but failed to score. DSU left 11 on base and was plagued by four errors in the contest.

Coppin State reliever Dillon O'Brien pitched five shutout innings to earn the win. O' Brien allowed four hits and struck out five after entering the game in the fifth inning.

Starter Bobby Brown suffered the loss for DSU. Brown surrendered eight hits and seven runs, six earned, in three innings to fall to 1-1 this season.

Zach Candeloro kept the Hornets in the game with an impressive stint out of the bullpen. Candeloro allowed two hits and struck out a career-best six batters in five shutout innings. He struck out the side in the Coppin State ninth.

Kimbrough's three hits raised his season average to .519 (27-for-52), while Miller had two hits in four at bats to improve to .474 (27-for-57).

The Hornets return to action on Wednesday (Mar. 26) at home against La Salle. Game time is 3 p.m. at Soldier Field.