Delaware State Uses Big First Inning To Defeat Blue Hens, 8-1, in Route One Rivalry
March 22, 2011
File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
• Boxscore
DOVER, Del. -- Delaware State scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back as the Hornets posted an 8-1 softball victory over the University of Delaware in the Route One Rivalry Tuesday afternoon at the Hornets Nest.
The Hornets, who improved to 13-8 this season, took control early during the bottom of the first inning off UD starter Kathleen Conway. Jordan Reid led off by getting hit by a pitch, and after she stole second on a strikeout of Chelsea Stern, Reid scored on a single up the middle by Janelle Lukens.
Casey Beighley then singled to left field, and after Rachel Carroll walked to load the bases, Stephanie Martello stroked an RBI single to right field to make it a 2-0 game. Ashlyn Campbell followed with a walk to force home Beighley, and after Conway struck out Andrea Waters looking, Tawny Reeger delivered a two-run single to left center as the Hornets increased their lead to five.
Delaware State used some suspect defense by the Blue Hens to add a pair of runs in the bottom of the third. Carroll led off by reaching on an error by Delaware second baseman Michelle McKinnon, and after she stole second, she went to third on a passed ball. One out later Campbell dropped down a bunt, but UD catcher Gina Knutson’s throw was wild, allowing Carroll to score and Campbell to advance all the way to third.
Knutson then tried to pick Campbell off third base, but again her throw got away, as Campbell crossed the plate to make it a 7-0 game. Conway then got Waters to pop out, but after Reeger and Reid singled, she was replaced in the circle by Amanda Stacevicz. Entering with two runners in scoring position, Stacevicz struck out pinch hitter Breanne Parr to escape further damage.
Delaware, which dropped to 7-17 on the year, got on the board in the fourth, as with one out Knutson (at right) singled to shortstop and Michelle Grap worked a walk. Becky Ellis then hit a groundball to second base but Reeger could not make the play, allowing Knutson to come around to score. The Blue Hens still had runners on the corners, but Campbell struck out Rachel Jones and Bertie Lake to get out of the jam.
UD looked to draw closer in the fifth when a single by McKinnon followed by walks to Lara Andrews and Stacevicz loaded the bases with one out. However Stephanie Sarris replaced Campbell in the circle for the Hornets and got Knutson to foul out to first and Grap to fly out to left to escape the frame unharmed.
The Hornets, who improved to just 3-23 all-time against Delaware, tacked on a run during the bottom of the frame as Stephanie Martello singled and pinch runner Kelsey Lewis scored on a one-out double down the left field line by Waters.
Campbell improved to 5-2 for Delaware State after allowing one unearned run on five hits in 4.1 innings of work, while Sarris gave up just one hit in 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. Conway fell to 1-5 for the Blue Hens as she was charged with seven runs, five earned, on six hits in 2.2 innings, while Stacevicz allowed one earned run on four hits in 3.1 innings of work.
Knutson finished 2 for 4 and scored the Blue Hens’ lone run of the afternoon, while McKinnon and Stacevicz also added two hits apiece.
Delaware opens its Colonial Athletic Association schedule this weekend with a three-game series at George Mason. The Blue Hens and Patriots will play a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday, with action on both days beginning at 12 noon.
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