Dover, Del. (Feb. 25, 2022) --- The Delaware State softball team fell to Louisiana Monroe and Bradley on the opening day of the Plainsman Invitational at Auburn University today.
The Hornets scored first, but came up short in a 3-1 loss to ULM to open the tournament, and suffered a 9-1 defeat against Bradley in their second outing of the day.
In the opener, Delaware State starting pitcher Sydney Hoffman allowed just five hits, but the Hornets were held to three in the contest.
The Hornets opened the scoring with a run in the top of the second inning.
Alexis Roberson singled to lead off the inning and advanced to third when Joie Raybourn reached on a one-out throwing error.
Roberson crossed the plate with the game's first run on a two-out single to center by shortstop Kyla Johnson.
After Hoffman kept Louisiana Monroe off the board in the bottom of the second, the Warhawks scored two in the third to take the lead.
Madison Blount homered to lead off the third and Alexis Chavez singled in a run to give ULM a 2-1 lead.
The Hawks added an insurance run in the fifth to open up a two-run advantage.
The Hornets had just one hit, a one out single by Jaelyn Baker in the fifth, in the last five innings.
In addition to Hoffman's solid pitching performance, Delaware State played error-free ball on defense for the first time this season.
Delaware State also scored first against Bradley, but nine unanswered runs in the loss.
After the Braves failed to scored in the top of the first off DSU starter Mayanah McIntosh, the Hornets put a run on the board in the bottom of the inning to take the early lead.
Jonah Cunnigan drew a one-out walk to start the rally. After stealing second, Cunnigan darted home when Baker followed with a single to center to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead.
Bradley answered with three runs in the second and two in the third to open up a 5-1 lead.
The Braves added three more runs in the fourth inning and another in the fifth.
Addie Welsh led Bradley's 10-hit attack with three hits, while Katie Pederson drove in two for the Braves.
Baker's first inning single was the only hit of the game for the Hornets.
Delaware State (0-5) will take on Syracuse and host Auburn in tournament action on Saturday, and  Bradley again on Sunday.