Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

NORFOLK, Va. – Starters Elliott Gardner and Matt McClain combined to give up just one run for Delaware State, and the Hornets completed the weekend sweep of the Norfolk State baseball team in a pair of seven-inning games, 11-0 and 4-1, Sunday afternoon at Marty L. Miller Field.

Gardner (2-2) scattered two hits in five innings for Delaware State to earn the win in the first game, walking four but also striking out seven NSU batters. McClain (1-2) gave up one earned run on five hits in six innings in the second game with four strikeouts.

The Hornets improved to 10-6 overall on the season and 3-0 in the MEAC. The Spartans dropped their 11th and 12th games in a row, and their overall record fell to 1-12, including 0-3 in conference play.

NSU had just 10 hits on the day, with senior Rafael Colon, juniors James Taylor and Ryan Montgomery and sophomore Cameron Day each tallying two hits over the two games.

NSU got its first and only lead of the weekend in the bottom of the fourth in Game 2, as Colon singled to start off the frame but was forced out at second on a fielder's choice off the bat of Taylor. After going to second on a groundout, Taylor came around to score when Montgomery lined a pitch into left field.

The Hornets immediately responded in the fifth, as second baseman JP Frey lined a triple into the right field corner to start the inning and crossed the plate when catcher Peter Broehl hit a sac fly to the center fielder.

Delaware State then took the lead in the next inning, as first baseman Ryan Haas singled with one out and went to third on a one-bagger by designated hitter Eddie Sorondo to left. Still with one out, left fielder Aaron Nardone hit a grounder to second, but because of the slow roll he was able to beat out the double play attempt. Haas scored the game-winning run for DSU on the play.

The Hornets added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh when Haas doubled to Taylor's left in center field for the final 4-1 margin. NSU loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but reliever Chad Sturgeon struck out freshman Justin Lee to end the threat and pick up his fourth save of the season.

Sophomore right-hander Justin Bhatti gave up seven hits and two earned runs in 5.2 innings of work as his record dropped to 1-2 on the year.

The Hornets exploded for six runs in the second inning of Game 1, all of them unearned. Sorondo led the inning off with a single to center, and one out later right fielder Tony Gatto hit one down the right field line that freshman James Essex was unable to squeeze into the glove after losing the ball in the sun. After a walk loaded the bases, Frey laid down a perfect suicide down the third base line to score the first run of the game.

Sophomore starter Ryan VanAssche struck out center fielder Troy Drummond for the second out of the inning, but shortstop Scott Davis lined a two-run single back up the middle and third baseman Cameron Cecil doubled past the third baseman to knock in two more runs each. Haas completed the scoring in the frame with another single to right.

The Hornets batted around again in the fifth, and again it was Sorondo who got things going after reaching on an error. With one out, Gatto and Nardone hit back-to-back singles to plate the first run, and then a double by Frey down the left field line and a single to right by Drummond scored another two runs.

Davis hit another bunt single to score Frey, and one out later Haas knocked one into right field to score the last run of the inning. VanAssche got designated hitter Darien Percell to pop up to first as DSU left the bases loaded, but the damage had been done with the Hornets up 11-0.

VanAssche (0-3) gave up 11 hits on the afternoon and all 11 runs, but just three earned, with two walks and five strikeouts. Freshman Mikey Bruno and junior Ross Cardwell each pitched a scoreless inning in relief, their first appearances on the mound this season.

NSU will host Youngstown State Tuesday at 1 p.m. for a single game at Marty L. Miller Field.