DSU Hornets complete season sweep of Norfolk State Spartans

DOVER, Delaware - Delaware State scored in all but one inning in an 11-1 win over Norfolk State in a MEAC North contest at Soldier Field this afternoon. The game was called after the Hornets scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning due to the 10-run rule.

DSU completed a six-game season sweep of the Spartans to improve to 18-13-1 overall. The Hornets lead the MEAC North with an 8-1 mark. Norfolk State dropped its seventh straight game to fall to 8-19 and 5-6.

Tony Gatto drove in three runs, while Cameron Cecil, Ryan Haas and JP Frey had two hits each to lead the Hornets' 12-hit attack. DSU also scored two runs on Norfolk State errors and another on a wild pitch.

Norfolk State scored first with a run in the top of the second inning. The Hornets answered with a run in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Haas doubled to lead off the inning, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After a walk to Eddie Sorondo, Frey singled up the middle to score Haas with the tying run.

DSU scored five times in the third to pull ahead. Cecil was hit by a pitch with one out to begin the rally. He moved to third on a single by Haas, and later scored on a wild pitch to give the Hornets a 2-1 lead. Two batters later, Aaron Nardone was walked with the bases loaded and Gatto followed with a two-run single to stretch Delaware State's lead to 5-1. Joey Babuca put the Hornets ahead 6-1 when he executed a suicide squeeze bunt, scoring Nardone with the final run of the inning. .

Sorondo singled in a run in the fourth and Scott Davis had a run-scoring double in the fifth to stretch DSU's lead to 8-1.

The Hornets opened up a 10-1 lead with two runs in the sixth. Sorondo was walked to lead off the inning. He was sacrificed to second on a bunt by Frey and reached third on a Nardone single. Nardone stole second and Sorondo scored on an error by Norfolk State catcher Chris Warren on the throw to second. DSU scored its second run in the sixth when Gatto drove in his third run of the game on a sacrifice fly.

Delaware State ended the game with a run in the seventh. Davis drew a one out walk and moved to second when Cecil was hit by a pitch. Haas followed with a sharp grounder to first. Norfolk State first baseman Ross Cardwell fielded the ball, but his throw to second was wild, allowing Davis to score the game ending run.

Starter Zach Adkins (3-1) threw six innings to pick up the win for the Hornets. He allowed three hits and one run, while striking out three.

Delaware State returns to action on Wednesday (Apr. 11) at Towson. Game time is 3:00 p.m. in Towson, Maryland.

GAME STATS