Dover, Del. (Apr. 20, 2019) --- Brianna Baker tossed a complete game and Jade King smacked her first career home run to lead host Delaware State to a 6-1 MEAC North victory over Norfolk State this afternoon. The Hornets avoided a sweep in the three-game series and snapped a 12-game losing streak to improve to 7-30 overall and 4-8 in the MEAC. The Spartans fell to 23-16 and 10-2.
Baker (4-17) allowed seven hits and walked one. The only run she allowed was a solo home run to Hunter Halford to tie the score at 1-1 in the top of the second inning. The Hornets also turned two double plays to assist her performance.
Delaware State opened the scoring with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Jasmine Melgoza and Jonah Cunnigan each singled to lead off the inning. Jaelyn Baker followed with a single down the left field line to score Melgoza with the game's first run.
The score was 1-1 in the bottom of the second when Melgoza singled home Tiffany Diao and Carissa Thorne to give DSU a 3-1 lead. The Hornets added their third run of the inning when Cunnigan and Melgoza executed a double steal, with Melgoza crossing the plate to stretch their lead to 4-1. Two batters later, King launched a drive over the fence to center field to cap off the five-run inning and put DSU ahead 6-1.
The Hornets outhit the Spartans 8-7, with Melgoza, King and Cunnigan collecting two hits each.
Delaware State will close out the regular season with a three-game series at home against Maryland-Eastern Shore next weekend. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday (Apr. 27) beginning at 1:00 p.m. and wrap up the series with a single game on Sunday (Apr. 28) at noon.
