(Ormond Beach, Fla.) – Thursday, the No. 1 overall seeded Delaware State softball team (30-18) put forth a valiant effort to nearly pull off three consecutive wins to extend its season in a 12-hour span throughout day two of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament, which began with a dominating 10-2 victory to eliminate the Norfolk State Spartans (18-25).
The second of DSU's three-game tilt featured the Hornets roaring back from two down in the seventh to pull off a 5-4 victory over No. 1 seeded Savannah State (26-23). Unfortunately, in the night cap, Delaware State failed to avenge Wednesday's one-run loss (4-3) to No. 2 seeded Bethune-Cookman (20-31) with a 5-3 defeat to end its season. The Wildcats, on the other hand, advanced to the championship round to face powerhouse Florida A&M (28-19) tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Delaware State's victory over the Tigers was its second over SSU this season, with the first occurring by way of a 10-0 five-inning shellacking during the Charleston Southern Tournament on Feb. 26. The loss, meanwhile, resulted in DSU's fourth consecutive defeat suffered at the hands of Bethune-Cookman.
Below is a breakdown of each game:
Game 2: Delaware State 5 – Savannah State 4
Trailing by two (4-2) in the bottom of the seventh, pinch hitter Danielle Velez kick-started DSU's rally with a leadoff single to right center. The ensuing at bat featured outfielder Sabrina Quarles reaching on a fielder's choice due to a Briana Harris erred throw to second base ending up in right field, resulting in an outfielder Mika Lumsden (reentered) advancing to third.
The inning continued with First Team All-MEAC selection Nicole Gazzola connecting for her second hit of the game with a bunt single to load the bases for Second Team All-MEAC honoree Chloe Oro. Luckily, Oro drove in Lumsden with an infield single to Harris, followed by Quarles scoring the game-tying run off Sandy Hawthorne's second sac-fly RBI.
After designated player Rochelle Sablay grounded out to second to advance Gazzola and Oro, Second Team All-MEAC selection Vanessa Washington completed DSU's thrilling comeback victory with a sharp single to left field, resulting in Gazzola scoring for a second time.
At game's end, the Hornets were held under double-digit hits for the first time of the tournament with four of their seven knocks occurring in the final frame off starter Amanda Hallman (15-12), who was a First Team All-MEAC selection. Along with Gazzola, Oro led all players with a pair of hits, whereas Oro added a stolen base to her statline.
The Tigers, meanwhile, tallied 10 hits and two walks off DSU's Nicole Brock (14-6), but SSU committed four errors and stranded 10 runners on base. Brock, who also pitched three innings in a relief effort earlier in the day against NSU, tossed all seven innings against the Tigers, allowing two earned runs, two walks and tallying five strikeouts. Hallman, meanwhile, surrendered two earned runs, a walk and fanned three Hornet batters.
Game 3: Delaware State 3 – Bethune-Cookman 5
Scoreless through three, Bethune-Cookman's Iesha Waters connected for one of her three hits with this one resulting in a two-run single with the bases loaded off Brock (14-7), who relieved starter Tara Tursellino (14-7) earlier in the frame. DSU, on the other hand, cut the deficit in half later in the inning, thanks to infielder Jordan Stamps churning out an RBI-double to bring in shortstop Khaliyah Flournory (single) all the way from first.
After a scoreless fifth inning, Brock allowed three consecutive singles to begin the sixth, in addition to walking catcher Melissa Berouty to bring in a run. Next up, infielder Sophia Ortega connected for a two-run single to make it a 5-1 ball game.
The Hornets were able to hold the Wildcats at bay the rest of the way, capped off by Waters lining into a double play to Oro at second base with the bases loaded in the seventh inning.
Down to its last three outs, Quarles led off with a single to center field. However, with the top of the order coming to the plate, Gazzola popped out in foul territory to Berouty, whereas Oro flied out to center field. Thankfully, like she's done throughout the MEAC Tournament, Hawthorne (7) connected for her third homer of the postseason to bring the Hornets within two (5-3). In five tourney games, Hawthorne batted a team-best .647 with 11 hits, 11 RBI, a double and three sacrifice hits with a 1.059 slugging percentage.
With momentum on its side, Sablay sent a deep fly ball near the center field wall, but B-CU's Mariah Davis was there at the warning track for the final out.
The Wildcats finished the night with 12 hits, including four registering two or more. The Hornets totaled eight hits, led by Hawthorne concluding her phenomenal career with a 3-for-4 performance. Both teams combined to strand 20 runners on the bag, highlighted by B-CU's 13.
Pitching wise, Second Team All-MEAC honoree, ace
Sabrina Anguiano (12-15), kept the Hornets at bay for much of the evening, allowing a walk and recording one strikeout. Brock, meanwhile, surrendered three walks and tallied no strikeouts in what was a busy day for the right hander.
