Salisbury, Md. (Mar. 18, 2018) --- Delaware State scored four times in the first and third innings, and Hannah Shields tossed a complete game in the Hornets' 8-2 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore in a MEAC North softball contest at Parker Field today. DSU completed a three-game series sweep of the Hawks to improve to 5-17 overall and 3-0 in the MEAC this season.
Kaleigh Berry was 3-for-4 with two runs batted in, while Jasmine Melgoza had three hits and a RBI in four at-bats to highlight the Hornets' 12-hit attack.
DSU's Vanessa Washington and Jordan Casey knocked in two runs each, and Khaliyah Flournory had two doubles in the contest.
The Hornets opened the scoring with four runs in the top of the first inning. Flournory doubled to lead off the game and scored, along with Sabrina Quarles, on a single by Washington to give DSU a 2-0 lead. Berry singled in two runs later in the inning to stretch the Hornets' lead to 4-0.
After MDES scored a run in the bottom of the second inning, Delaware State added four more in the third to stretch its lead. Melgoza singled in the first run of the inning, and two batters later, Casey doubled in two to give the Hornets a 7-1 advantage. Alyssa Diaz singled in the final run of the inning. Diaz was 2-for-3 at the plate in the game and 5-for-8 with five RBI in the three-game series.
Shields allowed eight hits and two runs, while striking out one and walking one, to improve to 3-7 this season.
The Hornets are scheduled to play their 2018 home opener on Tues. (Mar. 20) with a doubleheader against Villanova. Game 1 is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at the DSU softball complex.
