A walk-off single by Delaware’s Kyle Davis scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to hand the Delaware State Baseball Team (10-12-1) a 7-6 loss to the Blue Hens (17-8) on Thursday, April 2 at Bob Hannah Stadium.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Davis singled to left field off of Justin Bittner, driving in runners from second and third to hand the Hornets their 12th loss of the season. Bittner (3-1), who came in during the bottom of the ninth, suffered the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in two-thirds innings pitched. Starter Jordan Elliott lasted four innings, giving up three runs on four hits while striking out three Blue Hen batters. Elliott made his fifth start of the season on Thursday. Three other pitchers saw action versus UD, combining for one run on five hits with five Ks in four innings of middle relief. Reigning MEAC Pitcher of the Week, Dan Perkins came out of the bullpen to throw two innings of relief, allowing no runs on two hits with two strikeouts. Right-hander Josh Schmidt saw action in one inning, giving up one run on two hits and two strikeouts. Brandon Penick rounded out the DSU pitching staff, hurling one shutout inning of relief, allowing one hit while striking out one.

First baseman Abe Eubank led all Hornets, going 3-for-4, including his third double of the season with two RBI and a run scored. Eubank improved his season batting average to .400, driving in RBIs No. 9 and No. 10. Ross Babnieaux went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored. Babineaux, who entered the game as the nation’s leading batter, improved his season average to .539. The Torrence, Calif., native gave DSU a 5-4 lead in the top of the eighth following a single to right field which drove in two runs. Bittner, who began the contest at second base, went 1-for-3 with two runs scored.

Delaware right-handed hurler Michael Londino picked up the victory, allowing two runs on two hits in one and two-thirds innings pitched. Londino entered the game in the top of the eighth. Starter Devon Pearson allowed two runs on four hits in four innings pitched.

Offensively, the Blue Hens were led by designated hitter Chris Nehl, who hit 4-for-5 with and RBI and two runs scored. Nehl began the scoring for UD in the bottom of the ninth with a lead-off, solo home run, cutting the DSU lead to 6-5. Pat Dameron hit 2-for-2 with two RBI and Bill Merkler batted 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Davis, who registered the game-winning hit, went 1-for-5 with two RBI.

The Hornets jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second after and RBI single by Eubank and a sacrifice fly by Wynton Weather (0-for-3, 2 RBI). UD responded with a sacrifice fly of its own as Dameron fouled out down the left-field line with a runner on third.

Delaware tied the game in the bottom of the third with a solo home run by Merkler. The Blue Hens took their first lead of the game following an RBI single by Dameron in the bottom of the fourth.

Each team traded run in the seventh inning, 4-3 Delaware. The Hornets scored three runs in the top of the eighth to take a 6-4 lead. Two RBI by Babineaux and an RBI single by Eubank led to DSU taking a two-run lead heading into the ninth inning.

Delaware rallied in the bottom of the ninth, scoring three runs on three hits and giving Delaware State its second road loss of the season. A home run to lead off the bottom of the ninth by Nehl followed by the two-RBI single by Davis led to the 7-6 final.

Delaware State will travel to Baltimore, Md., to take on Coppin State in a three-game conference series beginning Saturday, April 4. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.