DSU's Meagley Strikes Out Nine in 5-0 Shutout Over Hampton

Rachel Meagley
5-5 pitcher, Sophomore
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Courtesy Mike Baker

DOVER, Delaware  -  Sophomore  Rachel Meagley (Seattle, Wash.) continues to impress in her first season with the Delaware State University softball team as she struck out a career-high nine strikeouts to lead the Hornets to their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory of the season in a 5-0 win over Hampton University Saturday afternoon at the Hornets' Nest.

In addition to nine strikeouts, Meagley allowed just four hits and held a perfect game through the first two and two-thirds innings as she struck out the first seven batters and forced a pop up before senior Brooke Boykin singled back to the pitcher. Meagley got out of the inning by striking out the next batter.

Del State (11-11-1; 1-0) got on the board in the fourth inning as senior Tawny Reeger (Simi Valley, Calif.) doubled to right center to lead off the inning and fellow senior Casey Beighley (Los Angeles, Calif.) followed up with a two-run home run to left field. Freshman Bria Green (Wheatley Heights, N.Y.) then singled through the left side and advanced to second on a passed ball with senior Rachel Carroll (Oxard, Calif.) at bat. Carroll continued the onslaught with an RBI double to right field to score Green

Carroll moved to third on a groundout from freshman Kelsey Doherty (Harbeson, Del.) and eventually scored the fourth run of the game for the Hornets on a wild pitch from Hampton freshman Jailynn Jackson before the end of the inning.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, Green singled to third base as sophomore Stephanie Martello (Oxnard, Calif.) scored to give DSU a 5-0 lead. The Hornets had the opportunity to end the game in the fifth via the mercy-rule, but recorded three straight outs to leave three runners stranded.

The Lady Pirates (13-21; 2-2) posed a threat in the top of the seventh inning as junior Carla Trimble walked to lead off the frame. Sophomore Margaret Wilkins reached on an error by Carroll, the shortstop, before junior Nina Ferguson walked to load the bases.

DSU head coach brought in sophomore Stephanie Sarris (Rohnert Park, Calif.) in relief and she immediately struck out junior Kelsei Saunders to end the game.

Beighley and Green led the Hornets from the plate, each going 2-for-3 on the day.

The Hornets and Lady Pirates wrap up their weekend series on Sunday with a doubleheader beginning at noon at the Hornets' Nest. Live stats can be found via www.DSUHornets.com and also www.twitter.com/DelStSB

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS