NEWARK, DE -- Senior Lindsay Jones allowed one run in the opener while junior Carolynn Sloat (at right) threw her fifth shutout of the year in the nightcap as the University of Delaware softball team swept a doubleheader from Delaware State, 8-1 and 2-0, Wednesday afternoon at Delaware Field.

Jones scattered five hits and walked just one while striking out six to improve to 8-3 on the year for the Blue Hens, who are now 20-8 this season and have won five of their last six games.

The Hornets, who fell to 13-13 on the year, struck first in the top of the third as Diana Gomez singled with one out and scored on a two-out triple to rightcenter by Katie Powell. However Delaware answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame to take the lead for good. Kate Termini led off with a walk, and after a bunt single by Katie Lee, Allison Bochers tripled to rightcenter to put Delaware up 2-1. After a strikeout Borchers scored on a squeeze bunt by Michelle Plant to make it a two-run game.

The Blue Hens tacked on a run in the fourth as Quinn Megargel worked a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a Jessica Kozlowski single, moved to third on a single by Termini, and scored on a wild pitch. Delaware then put the game away with four runs in the sixth.

With one out Termini walked, Lee doubled and Borchers walked to load the bases. Katie DeSalvo then singled up the middle to score pinch-runner Courtney Kelly, while Lee and Borchers scored when the ball got through Hornets centerfielder Ashley Fisher. Following a pitching change Plant singled home DeSalvo with the final run of the game.

Plant finished 2 for 4 wtih a pair of runs batted in for Delaware, while Lee was 2 for 3 with two runs scored. Borchers went 1 for 2 with two runs scored, two RBI and two walks, while DeSalvo, Kim Ovittore, Kozlowski and Termini had a hit apiece for the Blue Hens. Hornets starter Ashley Gray fell to 7-4 after allowing eight earned runs on seven hits with six strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work.

The game was the 1,000th coached by Blue Hen head coach B.J. Ferguson, who joins volleyball coach Barbara Viera and baseball coach Bob Hannah as the only coaches in school history to coach over 1,000 games at Delaware.

In the second game Sloat allowed just five hits and a walk while striking out two as she improved to 11-5 on the season. Sloat, who also shut out Delaware State on four hits on March 18, moved into sole possession of second place at Delaware with 19 career shutouts. She also won her 45th game as a Blue Hen, tying her for second place with Krysta Pidstawski on the school’s career charts.

Delaware got the only run it would need in the bottom of the third when Lee doubled to left with one out, moved to third on a single to center by Borchers, and scored on a single to left by Plant. The Blue Hens added an insurance run in the sixth when the Hornets committed three straight errors with two outs.

Borchers, Plant, Megargel and Lee each had a hit for Delaware, while Delaware State starter Megan Lambertz dropped to 5-6 as she gave up two runs, one earned, on four hits while striking out four.

The Blue Hens remain home this weekend to host CAA newcomer Georgia State. Delaware and the Panthers will play a doubleheader Saturday and a single game Sunday, with action on both days beginning at 12 noon.

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