Dover, Del. (Mar. 23, 2019) --- Delaware State gave up six runs in the first inning and trailed by as many as eight before falling to Coppin State 12-11 in a MEAC North baseball contest at wind-whipped Soldier Field today. The Eagles avenged a loss to the Hornets in the opener of the three-game series on Friday.

DSU trailed 12-8 entering the bottom of the eighth inning. The Hornets scored one run in the eighth and two in the ninth after two were out and the bases empty to pull to within a run before Coppin State recorded the final out.

The Eagles started quickly, scoring six runs in the top of the first off DSU starter Sean McGrath. The big blow in the inning was a three-run homer by Justin Banks to give the Eagles a 4-0 lead.

The Hornets got one back in the bottom of the third when John Weglarz scored on a Coppin State error. Delaware State loaded the bases later in the inning, but could not do any further damage.

Coppin State appeared headed for a rout after scoring three more runs in the fourth on a bases clearing double by Eric Crossman to open up a 9-1 lead.

The Hornets climbed back into the game with six runs in the bottom of the fifth. Tommy Jordan doubled to lead off the inning and scored on a sac fly by Miquel Rivera to cut the Eagles' lead to 9-2. Alex Vasquez doubled in two runs and Tripp Kimmell singled in one to pull the Hornets to within 9-5. Todd Henry hit his team-leading second home run of the season in the inning, a two-run shot, to make it a 9-7 score.

The teams traded runs in the sixth to give the Eagles a 10-8 lead.

Coppin State put two more on the board in the eighth to open up a four-run lead.

The Hornets cut the deficit to 12-9 on a one-out double by Rivera.

DSU still trailed by three when its first two batters were retired in the bottom of the ninth inning. The next batter, pinch hitter Rich Rountree reached base on an error to keep the inning alive. After a walk to Jordan put men at second and first, Weglarz singled in both runners to the Eagles lead to one. Coppin State's third pitcher of the game Corey Treyes retired Rivera on a pop up to third to end the game.

The Hornets outhit the Eagles 13-10. Five DSU players had two hits, while five also drove in two runs. Weglarz, Rivera, Henry and Jared Gillis each had two hits and two RBI.

McGrath (1-3) suffered the loss for the Hornets, allowing six hits and eight runs, while striking out four and walking five in 3.1 innings.  DSU's four pitchers, including relievers Sean Bradley, Chandler Fitzgerald and Zach Dale struck out 13 Coppin State batters and walked 16 in the three-hour-41 minute contest.

The Hornets (6-13; 1-4 MEAC) and Eagles (10-8; 4-1 MEAC) will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Soldier Field.