Dover, Del. (May 8, 2013) --- Rochelle Sablay singled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning to give Delaware State a 7-6 MEAC Tournament win over North Carolina A&T at the Ormond Beach Athletic Complex today. The win keeps the Hornets alive in the tournament. Third-seeded DSU dropped its tournament opener to No. 2 seed Florida A&M 8-6 to fall into the elimination bracket earlier today.
In the North Carolina A&T contest, the score was 6-6 when DSU batted in the top of the sixth inning. Chloe Oro singled to lead off the inning. The next batter, Nicole Gazzolla, reached on an error to give DSU runners at first and second. Jess Madrid followed with a bunt single to load the bases with nine out. Sablay then singled to left field to score Oro with the go-ahead run. Gazzolla was thrown out at the plate on the play. The Hornets failed to add to their 7-6 lead when Ashley Bennett hit into a double play to end the inning.
North Carolina A&T had the potential tying run on third base with one out in the seventh inning, but Rachel Meagley retired the next two batters on pop outs to end the game.
Delaware State got off to a fast start in the game with four runs in the top of the first inning. The big blow in the inning was a three-run homer by Bennett, her team-best seventh of the season.
After the Aggies scored two runs in the bottom of the first to pull to within 4-2, Bennett knocked in her fourth run of the game on a sacrifice fly in the top of the second to give the Hornets a three-run lead.
North Carolina A&T inched closer with two runs in the bottom of the third to cut the Hornets' lead to 5-4.
Delaware State answered with a run on the top of the fourth to open up a 6-4 lead. Oro led off the fourth with a single and later scored on a single by Sablay.
The Aggies scored two runs in the fifth to tie the game at 6-6.
Sablay was 3-for-4 with three runs batted in, while Oro, Gazzolla, Madrid and Sandy Hawthorne had two hits each for DSU.
In Delaware State's tournament opening loss to Florida A&M, the Rattlers led 8-2 after three innings and held off a late charge by the Hornets.
DSU opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the first inning. Oro and Gazzolla led off the first with singles. Two batters later, Sablay brought both runners home on a double to right field to give the Hornets a 2-0 lead.
Florida A&M responded with five runs in the bottom of the first to grab a 5-2 lead.
The Rattlers added three runs in the third to stretch their lead to 8-2.
Delaware State began to claw back with two runs in the fourth to pull to within 8-4. The Hornets scored their first run of the inning on a Florida A&M error and Sablay single in the second run.
DSU cut the Rattlers' lead to 8-6 after scoring two runs in the sixth.
The Hornets had the potential tying runs on base in the seventh inning, but failed to score.
Sablay was 3-for-4 with three runs batted in to go 5-for-8 with six RBI in the two games. Gazzolla had three hits in four at bats in the Florida A&M contest .
Delaware State will try to extend its season with a tournament elimination game on Friday at 10:00 a.m.
