Norfolk, Va. (May 20, 2022) --- Top-seeded Delaware State's bid to capture the school's first MEAC Tournament championship in more than three decades has become much tougher.
The Hornets must now win three consecutive games in the next two days to achieve their goal after falling to No. 2 Coppin State 15-5 in a second-round game at Marty L. Miller field today.
Coppin State outscored Delaware Stated 11-1 after the teams were tied 4-4 through three innings.
The Eagles now have the upper hand in the race for the tournament championship, however, the Hornets are still alive. Delaware State will need to defeat either Maryland-Eastern Shore or Norfolk State this evening to face Coppin State again in the championship round.
In addition to winning this evening, the Hornets would need to defeat Coppin State twice on Saturday to claim their first MEAC championship since capturing their lone title in 1989.
The Eagles scored at least one run in each inning but the seventh. The game was called after Delaware State failed to score in the bottom of the eighth due to the 10-run rule.
Coppin State collected 14 hits off three Delaware State pitchers. The Eagles also benefitted from three errors, three walks and four hit batters by the Hornets.
Third baseman Brian Nicolas was 3 for 5 with five runs batted in for Coppin State.
Nine batters had at least one hit and eight drove in one or more runs for the Eagles.
Delaware State starting pitcher Krew Bouldin, the hero in the Hornets' 7-6 win over Norfolk State in the tournament opener on Thursday, had two hits and a RBI for the Hornets. Bouldin is now 6 for 11 at the plate in two tournament games.
Trey Paige had a run-scoring triple in the first inning for the Hornets.