Dover, Del. (Apr. 2, 2016) --- Freshman Sean McGrath tossed a complete game to lead Delaware State to a 4-3 win over UMES in game two of a MEAC North doubleheader at Soldier Field today. UMES scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to take the opener 5-2.

In the seven-inning nightcap, McGrath allowed four hits and three runs, while striking out 10 and walking one. He fanned at least one batter in each inning, punching out the side in the fifth and two hitters in the seventh.

McGrath's performance gave Delaware State its first complete game and home victory of the season.

  Sean McGrath

The Hornets opened the game two scoring with a run without benefit of a hit in the bottom of the first inning. UMES starter Scott Bean hit DSU leadoff batter Todd Henry with a pitch and later plunked Hornet first baseman Jake Bartlett with two outs and bases loaded to force in the game's first run. Bean avoided further damage by retiring Chris Panzarella on a pop out to end the inning.

The Hawks tied the score when Jamison Trower smacked a solo homer off McGrath with two outs in the top of the second inning.

The Hornets regained the lead with a run off Bean in the third. Cameron Onderko drew a one-out walk and advanced to third when Austin Bentley followed with a double. The next batter, Jaylen Zielecki, grounded out to short, forcing in Onderko to give DSU a 2-1 lead.

Delaware State opened up a 3-1 lead when Panzarella doubled to lead off the third and later crossed the plate on a UMES error.

The Hornets stretched their lead to 4-1 when Bentley singled with two outs and Zielecki followed with a triple in the fifth.

UMES pulled to within a run when catcher Jessey Valdez hit his second homer of the season, a two-run shot over the fence in left field with two outs in the sixth.

McGrath retired the Hawks in order in the seventh, striking out the first two batters, to record his second career win (2-3).

Bean (0-4) was tagged with game two loss for UMES.  

In the opener, the score was 2-2 in the top of the ninth when Tom Summers doubled in the go-ahead run and Trower followed with a two-run double to provide the winning margin for the Hawks.

UMES led 2-0 after scoring runs in the second and fifth innings off Hornet starter Lane DeLeon. The first run crossed the plate on the passed ball and Justin Summerville doubled in the second run for the Hawks.

The Hornets pulled to within 2-1 when Henry singled with two outs, stole second and scored on single to center by Kwestin Smith in the bottom of the fifth inning. Smith led DSU with three hits in four at bats in the opener.

DSU pulled even in the sixth. Zielecki singled and stole second to lead off the inning. He advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Onderko and scored on a sacrifice fly by Barlett to tie the game at 2-2.

Summers (1-2) pitched 1.1 innings of relief to pick up the game one win for UMES. DSU reliever Cole Davis gave up the three ninth inning runs to take the loss.

The doubleheader split gives Delaware State a 5-21 overall record and 5-2 mark in the MEAC, while UMES stands at 6-19 and 2-5.

The Hornets and Hawks will wrap-up the series with a single nine-inning game on Sunday. Start time has been pushed back to 1 p.m.