Dover, Del. (April 10, 2016) ---Norfolk State pitchers allowed just two runs and 11 hits, while striking out 16 in a MEAC doubleheader sweep of Delaware State at Soldier Field on Sunday. In the opener, lefty Matt Outman tossed a three-hit shutout to lead the Spartans to a 6-0 victory. In the seven-inning nightcap, Norfolk State starter Jonathan Mauricio threw five strong innings and Kyle Vaas drove in two runs to key the 6-2 win.

Outman, the 2016 MEAC Preseason Pitcher-of-the-Year and the league's top hurler last season, scattered three singles, while striking out seven and walking two to improve to 4-2 this season. He avenged a loss to the Hornets in the team's first meeting this season on Mar. 19.

Todd Henry, Kwestin Smith and Cameron Onderko had the DSU hits in the opener.

Norfolk State gave Outman all the support he needed with three runs in the top of the first inning. Brian Beard, Vaas and Ismael Herrera had run-scoring hits for the Spartans in the first.

NSU added a run in the third on a RBI double by Vaas, and tacked on two unearned runs in the sixth to close out the scoring.

Delaware State starter Lane DeLeon (1-4) took the loss in the opener. DeLeon allowed 10 hits and six runs, four earned, while striking out six and walking four in 6.1 innings.

In game two, Delaware State scored first when Darnel Maisonet singled in Henry with two outs in the third inning.

The Spartans evened the score with a run in the fourth, and took control of the game with a four-run fifth inning. The big blow in the NSU fifth was a two-run triple by Vaas to give the Spartans a 3-1 lead. Herrera singled in a run and Chase Anderson brought home a run on a groundout in the inning.

Delaware State pulled to within 5-2 with a run in the sixth. Maisonet doubled to lead off the inning and crossed the plate when Austin Bentley followed with a single. The Hornets put another runner on base in the inning, but failed to score again. Maisonet was three-four-four in the nightcap.  

Mauricio (2-2) allowed five hits and one run, while striking out six and walking two, to record the win for the NSU. 

Delaware State starter Sean McGrath (2-4) suffered the loss, despite striking out six batters in 4.1 innings. McGrath gave up six hits and Norfolk State's first four runs. 

The Hornets and Spartans will wrap up the series with a single game on Monday. The first pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Soldier Field.