Dover, Del. (Mar. 21, 2021) --- Delaware State scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to post a dramatic 13-12 walk-off victory over Coppin State in game one of a MEAC North doubleheader at Soldier Field on Sunday. The Hornets scored the winning run in the seventh inning when pinch runner Hiram Davis stole third base and continued home on a throwing error by Coppin State's catcher, setting off a wild celebration after the play.
DSU began the last of the seventh trailing 12-8 after giving up eight runs, seven after two were out, in the top of the seventh.
The Hornets began their rally in the bottom of the seventh with one and a runner on first base. John Weglarz doubled in the first run of the inning with one out to cut Coppin State's lead to 12-9.
Delaware State pulled to within 12-11 when two runs scored on a dropped fly ball off the bat of Trey Paige with runners at third and second with one out.
The Hornets evened the score at 12-12 when Krew Bouldin followed with a single to center to score Paige with the tying run. After Cole Garey singled to advance Bouldin to second base, Davis replaced him as the runner at second.
Pinch hitter Mason Brewer was at the plate with two outs when Davis took off for third on the stolen base attempt.
The score was 4-4 when Delaware State appeared to be in control after scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
John Weglarz doubled in the first two DSU runs in the sixth to give the Hornets a 6-4 lead. Paige  doubled in Weglarz to put the Hornets ahead by three. The fourth run of the inning crossed the plate on a ground out by catcher Robert Trujillo.
Coppin State's Conner Walker homered to lead off the top of the seventh to cut DSU's lead to 8-5. The Eagles still trailed by three with two outs before their next 10 batters reached base, resulting in seven unearned runs.  Darren Hagen tripled in three of the runs to put Coppin State ahead 9-8. The Eagles scored their last run of the inning on a wild pitch to open up a 12-8 lead.
Weglarz was two for four with three RBI, while Paige, Bouldin and Garey also collected two hits for the Hornets.
Zach Dale, the fifth Delaware State pitcher of the game, recorded the last Coppin State out in the seventh to earn the win.
The Hornets appeared to carry the momentum of their dramatic game one victory into the nightcap. DSU scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning in game two take the early lead. Paige singled in the first two runs and Brady Daniels had a run-scoring hit in the first.
Coppin State answered with four runs in the top of the second inning to lead 4-3.
The Eagles led 5-4 before scoring two insurance runs in the sixth inning and another in the seventh.
Wellington Balsley was four for five with three RBI to lead Coppin State's 13-hit attack in the nightcap. Paige was two for three with three runs batted in to lead the Hornets in game two.
Delaware State stands at 4-7 overall and 2-2 in the MEAC North after splitting the four-game weekend series against the Eagles.