Dover, Del. (Mar. 24, 2016) --- Delaware State looks to continue its fast start in the MEAC North in a weekend series at Coppin State. The Hornets and Eagles are scheduled to 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) at Joe Cannon Field in Glen Burnie, Md.

DSU (2-17; 2-0 MEAC) began 2016 MEAC play with a double-header sweep of defending division champ Norfolk State last weekend. The Hornets' chance for a three-game sweep of the series was rained out.

Coppin State (3-15; 1-1) split two games with UMES in its first MEAC series of the season last weekend.

Delaware State has shown signs of improvement at the plate.  The Hornets have averaged 6.3 runs in the last three contests, up from 1.8 in their first 16 outings. The team batting average has also jumped from .183 to .207 in the last three games.

Freshman infielder Todd Henry is tops on the Hornets with a .304 batting average (17-for-56).  He also has a team-high 17 hits this season.

Sophomore Austin Bentley has nine hits in his last 16 at bats (.563) to raise his season average to .283.

First baseman Jake Bartlett has two RBI in each of the last three games to give him a team-high seven for the season.

Delaware State's pitching staff has a 5.97 earned run average, but sports an impressive 141-80 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Righty Lane DeLeon (1-2) has 22 strikeouts in 22.2 innings pitched, while freshman Cole Davis leads the Hornets with 26 Ks in 21.1 innings.

Lefty Jaylen Zielecki (0-1) has a 1.74 earned run average, allowing just two earned runs in 10.1 innings this season.

Right-hander Hunter McVey has been the most consistent out of the bullpen. McVey has a 2.84 ERA with 16 strikeouts and one walk in 19 innings, all in relief.

Delaware State won eight of nine meetings against Coppin State during the 2015 season.

After this weekend's series at Coppin State, the Hornets will play a stretch of 13 consecutive home games, beginning with a non-conference clash with Towson on Tues. (Mar. 29). Start time is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Soldier Field.