Dover, Del. (Mar. 18, 2023) ---  Uxua Lopez smacked a three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning to highlight Delaware State's 4-3 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore in game one of a doubleheader to open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play for each team today. The Hawks bounced back to win game two 1-0 on a five-hit shutout by Ameenah Ballenger, who also knocked in the only run of the game. In the opener, the Hornets scored first on a two-out double by Emma Glawson  to score pinch runner Kayla Lester in the bottom of the second inning.  The Hornets still led 1-0 when Lopez hit a shot over the fence in center field, scoring Felicity Munoz and Britney Phally ahead of her, to up the lead to 4-0 in the third. The Hawks scored single runs in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings, but Delaware State pitcher Sydney Hoffman retired the last two batters in the seventh to seal the win. Lopez, Phally and Ella Falcetti had two hits each in game one for the Hornets. Hoffman allowed just four hits and one earned run, while striking out three to earn the win.
The nightcap, Ballenger struck out eight, and retired the Hornets in the last inning after allowing the potential tying and winning runs on base to earn the win. She also drove in the only run of the game on a two-out single in the bottom of the first inning.        
Mayanah McIntosh pitched well in defeat for the Hornets, allowing just four hits and striking out four. Joie Raybourn had two of Delaware State's five hits in the nightcap.
The Hornets (5-11; 1-1 MEAC) and Hawks (5-11; 1-1 MEAC) will wrap up the series with a single game on Sunday (Mar. 19) at 12:00 p.m.