(Dover, Del.) – The Delaware State softball team (4-6) played a total of five games in Charleston Southern's Wingate by Wyndham Invitational over the weekend. DSU picked up victories over Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) foe Savannah State (4-10) and weekend host CSU (8-5), but fell to the Buccaneers, in addition to dropping both games to the undefeated UT Arlington Mavericks (15-0).
Below is a breakdown of each game:
Game 1: Delaware State 10 – Savannah State 0 (Five Innings)
The Hornets scored every inning against the Tigers, highlighted by a six-run output in the second frame. Infielder Chloe Oro got things going by driving in two runs with her second triple of the season, followed by catcher Sandy Hawthorne knocking her in with a single to center. Next up, senior Rochelle Sablay (1) capped off DSU's huge inning with a two-run bomb over the left field wall. The Hornets finished the game with 10 hits, led by outfielder Nicole Gazzola going a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, two stolen bases, a walk and an RBI. Hawthorne had a good day at the plate with a 3-for-4 effort, which also included three RBI. Picking up the victory was junior Nicole Brock (2-1) surrendering two hits and fanning four Tiger batters in three innings of work.
Game 2: Delaware State 3 – Charleston Southern 4
After CSU scored a pair of runs in the first two innings, the Hornets cut the deficit to one in the fifth, highlighted by Hawthorne singling to left to bring in outfielder Nicole Gazzola and Oro with the help of a Buccaneer throwing error. Nevertheless, DSU was held scoreless the rest of the way, capped off by the Hornets going down in order in the seventh. At game's end, Gazzola went 3-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base, whereas sophomore Vanessa Washington went 2-for-3. By committee, three pitchers tossed two innings each, but starter Jessica Shalongo (0-1) allowed five hits, four earned runs, two walks and registered one strikeout in the losing effort.
Game 3: Delaware State 2 – UT Arlington 10 (Six Innings)
Day two began on a high note for the Hornets, thanks to scoring two runs on four hits in the first inning, highlighted by a Sablay RBI-double to bring in Oro. However, UT Arlington scored four runs on two hits in the second off starter Tara Tursellino (1-2), in addition to ending the game with a five-run output off Brock in a relief effort. The Mavs finished the game with 11 hits, including five doubles. The Hornets, meanwhile, registered eight hits, led by Hawthorne (3) and senior Jordan Stamps (2).
Game 4: Delaware State 7 – Charleston Southern 4
Knotted up at three in the top of the seventh, Stamps (1) connected for a three-run homer to cap off a four-run dramatic inning for the Hornets. The Buccaneers, on the other hand, answered with a Jade Gandara (3) solo dinger off Tursellino (2-2), who replaced starter Alexis Goldsby (0-1) after the fifth inning. Nevertheless, Tursellino settled down nicely by tallying to two strikeouts to secure DSU's comeback victory. The Hornets tallied eight hits with Gazzola, Hawthorne and Stamps all registering two, while Oro, Gazzola and Stamps scored a pair of runs as well.
Game 5: Delaware State 5 – UT Arlington 7
DSU's final game of the weekend featured a valiant comeback effort in the final inning by scoring four runs on five hits and one Maverick error. However, with sophomore Haley Jones representing the go ahead run at the plate, pitcher Samantha Clakey (3) forced Jones to ground out to second to end the game. Despite the loss, DSU finished with a season-high 13 hits, led by Gazzola, Oro, Sablay, Washington and Jones all tallying two. Tursellino (2-3) allowed six hits, two earned runs and three walks in five innings of work.
Coming Up Next…
The Hornets will take part in Delaware's Blue Hen Blast, beginning Friday afternoon (12:30 p.m.) against UD. DSU will then take on Bucknell (twice) and the Blue Hens once again to conclude the weekend.
