Presbyterian Scores Two In The Ninth to Defeat DSU

The Delaware State baseball team stood three outs away from win number one on the season, but Presbyterian scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to win 2-1.

The Hornets (0-4) led 1-0 heading into Presbyterian’s last at bat. The Blue Hose (4-0) scored the wining run on an infield single with two outs in the ninth to sweep the four game, season opening series.

Despite the loss, the young Hornet pitching staff showed a second straight solid outing. After allowing 29 runs on 34 hits in the first two games, DSU pitchers gave up just five runs on 14 hits in the final two contests.

Caesar Rodney product Travis Dill pitched 5.1 shutout innings, allowing four hits, while striking out one, and walking one in his first career start for Delaware State. Milford graduate Garrett Coverdale relieved Dill and struck out two of the three he faced in the bottom of the sixth.

Charles Dailey singled to lead off the game, and advanced to second when David Kimbrough followed with an infield single. Dailey moved to third on a fielder’s choice ground by Cameron Onderko, and scored when Chris Gonzales singled to left. The Hornets had runners on second  and first with just one out, but failed to add anymore runs in the inning. DSU also put its first two batters on base in the fourth, but couldn’t add to its 1-0 lead. The Hornets also left two runners on base in the fifth.

Presbyterian reliever Ethan Wortkoetter picked up the win after striking out all three batters he faced in the top of the ninth inning, reliever Lane DeLeon (0-1) took the loss for the Hornets.

Delaware State returns to action on Friday, February 20th. against Iona in the Duke University Tournament. Game time is scheduled for 7 p..m in Durham, N.C.