Phila., Pa. (Mar. 23, 2016) --- Delaware State led 5-2 before giving up four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning in a 6-5 loss to La Salle at Hank DeVincent Field today. The Explorers scored the last six runs of the game after the Hornets led 5-0 in the bottom of the second inning.

The tying and go-ahead runs crossed the plate on a two-run homer by La Salle's Ethan Springston off DSU reliever Darnel Maisonet with two outs in the seventh. Maisonet was the last of six pitchers to see action for the Hornets in the contest.

La Salle (7-14) also took advantage of two Delaware State errors in the seventh. The Hornets committed four errors in the contest.

Delaware State (2-17) opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the first inning. The rally began when Cameron Onderko drew a walk with two outs and bases empty. Austin Bentley followed with a single to center, giving the Hornets runners at second and first. After the runners moved up a base on a wild pitch, Jake Bartlett stroked a single to right field, sending Onderko and Bentley home with the first two runs of the game.

After DSU starter Jaylen Zielecki retired the Explorers in order in the bottom of the first, two by strikeout, the Hornets tacked on three runs in the second.

Evan Regez singled to lead off the second and scored on a two-out double by Todd Henry to give the Hornets a 3-0 lead. Maisonet followed with his first career homer, a two-run shot over the right field fence, to stretch the Hornets' lead to 5-0.

La Salle answered with a run off Zielecki in the bottom of the second to cut the DSU lead to four.

The Explorers added a run in the third off Hornet reliever Gabe Rivera to pull to within 5-2.

Bentley and Maisonet had two hits each to lead the Hornets' eight-hit attack. Kevin McGowan had two of La Salle's six hits.

Delaware State reliever Cole Davis threw 1.2 scoreless innings, striking out four of the seven batters he faced.       

La Salle reliever Jorge Jimenez, the third of five pitchers for the Explorers, picked up the win after tossing two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out three.  

The Hornets return to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play with a three-game series at Coppin State

The teams will play a single game on Friday (Mar. 25) at 3 p.m. and wrap up the series with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday (Mar. 26).