Farmville, Va. (Feb. 15, 2019) --- Delaware State took advantage of five Norfolk State errors en route to a 4-3 victory over the Spartans in their second game at the abbreviated 2019 Longwood Lancer Launch on Friday.
The Hornets fell to Robert Morris 7-1 in their tournament opener earlier Friday.
In the Norfolk State contest, three of Delaware State's four runs were unearned. The Spartans outhit the Hornets 10-7, but DSU did not allow any unearned runs after playing an errorless game.
Delaware State freshmen Tiffany Diao and Alexis Roberson each had two hits in three at bats, with Diao recording each of the Hornets' two RBI.
DSU opened the scoring with a run in the bottom of the third inning. Jonah Cunnigan singled with two outs and the bases empty, and later scored on a Norfolk State error.
The Hornets doubled their lead with a run in the fourth. Roberson reached second base on a Norfolk State throwing error to open the inning. She advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and crossed the plate on a one-out single by Diao to give DSU a 2-0 lead.
After the Spartans scored a run in the top of the fifth, the Hornets answered with a run in the bottom of the inning. Cunnigan reached second base on a NSU error to start the inning, marking the second straight frame that a miscue allowed the Hornets' leadoff batter to get into scoring position. Cunnigan reached third on a ground out and then scooted home on another error to stretch Delaware State's lead to 3-1.
The Hornets led 3-2 before scoring an insurance run in the sixth. Roberson singled to lead off the inning and later scored on Diao's second hit of the game.
Norfolk State scored a run to cut DSU's lead to 4-3 in the seventh, but Diao, pitching in relief, recorded the final out on a liner to left with a runner on first.
Starting pitcher Brianna Baker allowed just one run on six hits, while striking out four and walking one, in six innings of work to earn the win. Diao was credited with her first career save.
Delaware State was scheduled to play on Saturday and Sunday in the Longwood Lancer Launch, but the games were cancelled due to the forecast for inclement weather.
The Hornets return to action next weekend at the Liberty University Tournament in Lynchburg, Va.
