Norfolk, Va. (May 14, 2014) --- Zachary Brigham hit a grand slam in the top of the eighth inning to lift No. 4 Savannah State to an 8-4 win over top-seeded Delaware State in a MEAC Tournament opening round contest at Marty Miller Field today.

The Hornets led 4-3 before the Tigers scored five runs in the eighth to regain the lead. Savannah State's David Richards doubled off DSU reliever George Michael to lead off the inning. Tre Sikes followed with a single off Michael to score Richards, tying the game at 4-4.

Later in the inning, Aaron Hoffer and Hector Benitez stroked back-to-back singles off Delaware State reliever Eric Sharff to load the bases. Brigham followed by launching Sharff's 1-2 pitch over the wall in right field for his first career grand slam, giving the Tigers a four-run lead.

Cameron Onderko and Cameron Cecil singled off Savannah State reliever Eric Ricks to open the DSU ninth, but Ricks retired the next three batters to end the game.

Savannah State scored first with a run off Delaware State starter Matt McClain in the top of the third inning. Todd Hagen singled with one out and advanced to second on a throwing error by Hornet third baseman Cameron Cecil. Richards followed with a double to score Hagen.

The Hornets evened the score with a run in the bottom of the fourth off Savannah State starter Austin Denny. Ron Farley reached on a fielder's choice with one out. He advanced to second on a ground out and scored on a two-out single by Hassan Evans to tie the game at 1-1.

Delaware State took the lead for the first time with two runs off Denny in the fifth.

Onderko singled to lead off the fifth and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Cecil. Aarron Nardone followed with a walk to put runners at second and first. The next batter, Mike Alexander, singled to left, scoring Onderko to give the Hornets a 2-1 lead. Nardone advanced to third and Alexander to second on a throwing error after the hit. Nardone scored on a sacrifice fly by Eddie Sorondo to stretch DSU's lead to 3-1.

Savannah State took advantage of another Hornet error to tie the game with two runs off McClain in the seventh. The Tigers had runners on second and third with two outs when Cecil's errant throw on a grounder by Kevin Herlihy scored Hoffer and Mendez Elder to even the score at 3-3.

Delaware State regained the lead with an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh. Cecil led off the inning with a double and scored on a one out error by Hagen, Savannah State's shortstop, to give the Hornets a 4-3 lead.         

Ricks (5-4) threw 2.2 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win for the Tigers. Michael (5-3) was charged with the go-ahead run on the Brigham slam to suffer the loss.

McClain pitched the first seven innings for the Hornets. He allowed five hits and three runs, one earned, while striking out four and walking one.

Savannah State outhit DSU 11-10. Each team committed two errors.

Cecil was three-for-three at plate, while Onderko (2-for-4), Alexander (2-for-5) and Evans (2-for-4) had two hits each for the Hornets.  

Richards, Hoffer and Benitez had two hits each for Savannah State.  

The Hornets will take on Coppin State in an elimination contest on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The Hornets must win six games over the next four days to capture the school's first MEAC Tournament championship since 1989.

Earlier in the MEAC Tournament, Bethune-Cookman defeated Maryland-Eastern Shore 4-0; and Norfolk State posted a 6-1 win over No. Carolina Central.