Dover, Del. (Apr. 29, 2016) --- Delaware State's hopes for a fourth MEAC North title in five years will rise or fall on the outcome of its four-game series at Norfolk State this weekend. The Hornets and Spartans are scheduled to play doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday at NSU's Marty Miller Field.

Norfolk State leads the 2016 MEAC North race with a 13-4 division record, two-and-a-half games ahead of the second place Hornets (10-6).

Delaware State will have just four conference games remaining this season and Norfolk State three after this weekend.

The Hornets are 3-2 vs. Norfolk State this season, including 2-0 at Miller Field. DSU swept a doubleheader at Norfolk State (9-5 & 5-3) on March 19. The Spartans won two of three games in a series at Delaware State Apr. 10-11.

Delaware State has won five of its last six conference games to stay alive in the race.

The Hornets are batting .234 as a team this season, but .270 in MEAC contests.

Freshman utility man Todd Henry is the team leader with a .331 average this season.  Henry, whose batting .361 in MEAC games, also tops the Hornets in hits (42) and runs scored (24).

Outfielder/DH Austin Bentley (so.) is DSU's leader with 23 runs batted in and ranks second on the team with a .287 average. Bentley is batting .356 vs. MEAC opponents.

Jaylen Zielecki (jr.) is batting .283 (.323 vs. MEAC), is tied for the team lead with seven doubles and is second on the club with nine steals (9-12) this year.

Zielecki is also 1-1 with a 2.03 earned run average in eight appearances as a pitcher.

Freshman shortstop Chris Panzarella leads the Hornets with two home runs, while second baseman Kwestin Smith (jr.) has a team-high 10 steals (10-for-13).

The Hornet pitching staff has a combined 5.91 earned run average, but it lowers to 3.35 in MEAC games.    

DSU pitchers have recorded 334 strikeouts while walking just 184 batters in 333.1 innings this season.

Freshman righty Sean McGrath leads the Hornets with three wins (3-4) and posts a 4.93 ERA. McGrath is 3-1 with 37 strikeouts and 11 walks vs. MEAC competition.

Righty Lane DeLeon (so.) has been the Hornets' No. 1 starter this season. DeLeon is 1-4 with a 4.38 ERA (3.74 vs. MEAC). He has a team-high 53 strikeouts and just 17 walks.

Right hander Hunter McVey (so.) is DSU's top reliever. McVey leads the Hornets with three saves, while recording 27 strikeouts and 10 walks in 30.1 innings. He has appeared in a team-high 24 games.