NORFOLK, VA -- Katie DeSalvo roped three hits and stole two bases to help lead the University of Delaware softball team to a 5-3 victory over Norfolk St. during a rain-shortened five-inning contest at the NSU Softball Field on Friday morning.

The Hens' second game of the day was cancelled due to poor field conditions.

With the victory, Delaware improves to 4-4 on the season. Norfolk St. drops to 3-10.

During the game, DeSalvo (at right) was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two stolen bases. The rightfielder also scored a run and knocked in another.

Against the Spartans, the Blue Hens played fundamental softball in the first inning as Delaware quickly jumped on the board after DeSalvo reached on a bunt single to third base. Following her hit, she stole second, advanced to third on a grounder by Allison Borchers, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Kim Ovittore.

Three innings later, Delaware tacked on three more runs in the fourth to stretch its lead to 4-0. Quinn Megargel led off the frame with a single through the left side of the infield and was followed by a walk to Katie Lee. After Lindsay Novak reached on a throwing error to load the bases, freshman Michelle Grap drove a long ball to centerfield that chased in Megargel.

DeSalvo followed with her third and final hit of the game which brought in Lee. Borchers capped off the rally with a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Novak.

After ace Samantha Shawn worked a nearly perfect first three innings, the sophomore righty ran into trouble in the fourth. Sarah Wittwer started the Spartan charge with a double to left center. One batter later, Micki Rodriguez lined a single to shortstop, which brought in Wittwer for Norfolk St.'s first run of the game. The next two batters also roped back-to-back singles, the latter of which brought home Rodriguez.

Brianeisha Eure capped off the inning after knocking in Jacklyn Peaton with a run-scoring fielder's choice.

The Blue Hens answered the Spartan rally with a run of their own in the top of the fifth. Jessica Kozlowski led off the frame with a single up the middle. After Delaware brought in the speedy Amanda Nyisztor to pinch run, Barbara Traynor moved her to second on a sacrifice bunt before a single by Megargel brought her across the plate.

After Shawn shut down the Spartans in the fifth, the weather forced an early ending to the game as the umpires put a stop to the contest due to poor field conditions.

Shawn (2-3) picked up the win after scattering five hits over five strong innings of work. Rodriguez (2-3) took the loss.

Megargel finished with two hits to go along with a run scored as well as an RBI. Novak also had a hit and a run scored, while Ovittore added a hit and an RBI.

The Hens will return to action for the second day of the Spartan Classic when they will face Morgan State at 9 a.m. before taking on St. Francis (PA) at 1 p.m.

Boxscore