Dover, Del. (Apr. 16, 2016) --- Delaware State scored seven runs on just one hit in the seventh inning of game one and tallied five runs in the fourth inning of the nightcap in a sweep of Coppin State in a MEAC doubleheader at Soldier Field today.
The Hornets won the opener 14-4 and took the seven-inning nightcap 5-4.
Delaware State had just four hits in game one, but took advantage of four errors and 17 walks by Coppin State pitchers.
The Hornets trailed 2-0 before getting on the board when Cameron Onderko drove in Adrian Hill on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third.
DSU tied the game when Onderko singled in Darnel Maisonet with two outs in the fifth.
Coppin State led 4-2 before the Hornets' big seventh inning. The only hit in the inning was a two-run double by Kwestin Smith to give Delaware State an 11-4 lead. DSU also scored three runs on bases loaded walks, an error and hit batter in the frame.
The Hornets scored three more times in the eighth, two on bases loaded walks and anther on a hit batter with the bases full.
The game was called with one out in the DSU eighth due to the 10-run rule.
Smith, Onderko, Hill and Chris Panzarella drove in two runs each in the opener for the Hornets.
DSU's Garrett Coverdale (1-1) threw 1.1 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win, while Coppin State reliever Desean Rabb (1-1) took the loss.
In the nightcap, Coppin State scored two runs in the second and third innings off DSU starter Darnell Maisonet to take a 4-0 lead.
The score held up until the Hornet fourth. Smith walked with one out and advanced to second when Maisonet followed with a single. Onderko then walked to load the bases with one out. After Jaylen Zielecki struck out, Jake Bartlett tripled to left center to clear the bases on a play where two Coppin State outfielders collided while in pursuit of the ball. Bartlett was also sent home and ruled safe at the plate when the catcher dropped the ball on the throw in to tie the score.
The Hornets took a 5-4 lead when Panzarella followed with a single, stole second and scored on a single up the middle by Devin Beverly.
Delaware State relievers Darien Ragins and Hunter McVey kept Coppin State off the board the rest of the way. Ragins (2-3) threw 3.2 innings of scoreless relief, striking out five without a walk, to earn the win. McVey got the final out in the Coppin State sixth and shutout the Eagles in the seventh to collect his third save of the season.
The Hornets will try for the three-game sweep when they host the Eagles in the series finale on Sunday. The first pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Soldier Field.
