Dover, Del. (Apr. 18, 2014) --- Delaware State University's potent offense was silenced by Maryland-Eastern Shore pitching in the Hawks' doubleheader sweep at Soldier Field today. UMES won the first game 3-2 in 11 innings; and completed the sweep with a 5-1 victory in the seven inning nightcap.
The Hornets were averaging 8.6 runs per game, second among all NCAA Division I teams, entering the doubleheader.
In the opener, UMES scored the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice groundout in the top of the 11th inning.
The Hornets put a runner on base in the bottom of the 11th, but failed to score.
Delaware State opened the game one scoring on Cameron Cecil's run scoring double in the bottom of the third inning.
UMES answered with a run in the top of the fourth to tie the game.
The Hornets regained the lead 2-1 when Ron Farley hit his second home run of the season to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Hawks again tied the game in their next at bat. Joshua James doubled to lead off the UMES eighth and later scored the tying run on a one-out single by Stephen Bull, who had three of the Hawks' 10 hits to extend his hitting streak to 22 games.
Cecil was three-for-five, while Eddie Sorondo and Charles Dailey had two hits each for the Hornets.
The loss overshadowed another solid performance by DSU starter Matt McClain. The senior right hander allowed eight hits and two runs-one earned-while matching his season high with eight strikeouts in nine innings.
McClain lowered his earned run average to 2.07 with the performance. He now has 44 strikeouts and six walks in 68 innings this season.
Bernard Parker threw a scoreless inning of relief to earn the win for UMES. DSU reliever Eric Sharff allowed the 11th inning run to suffer the loss.
In the nightcap, Delaware State again score first with a third inning run. Kwestin Smith singled with one out and later scored on an infield single by Cecil put the Hornets out front.
UMES took the lead with two runs in the top of the fifth. Bull singled in the tying run and Byron Campbell singled in the go-ahead run to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead.
The Hawks scored three insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning to seal the win.
Campbell had three hits, while Bull and Skylar Murray had two each for UMES in game two.
Alexander led the Hornets with two hits
Starter Harry Thomas (2-2) allowed five hits and two runs in five innings to take the loss for DSU.
The Hornets and Hawks will wrap up the series with a doubleheader on Saturday. Game one gets underway at 1 p.m. at Soldier Field.
