A late rally by the Delaware State (18-19-1) was held off by the Towson Tigers (22-20) as the Hornets fell, 10-9, on Wednesday, April 29 at Schuerholz Field in Towson, Md.

With the Tigers clinging to a 10-8 lead in the ninth inning, senior Ryne Mailen led off the inning with a triple to right-center field off senior right-hander Josh Squatrito, the Tigers’ ace closer. When senior catcher Wynton Weather lined a single to right on the next pitch, the Hornets had trimmed their deficit to 10-9 with no outs.

Senior Ross Babineaux entered the game as a pinch runner for Weather and moved into scoring position following a sacrifice bunt by senior Jared Lineweaver. With Babineaux on second base, junior outfielder Mike Rizzuto lined a single to right field. Sophomore outfielder Ausitn Harclerode riffled a one-hop throw to junior catcher Max Kelly, who tagged out Babineaux trying to score. A strikeout of Jose Sanchez sealed the victory for Towson, 10-9.

The Hornets scored nine runs on 11 hits while committing three errors. Four DSU batters registered multiple hits in the game. Rizzuto went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Justin Bittner drove in one run and scored another, going 2-for-4 on the afternoon. Mailen batted 2-for-4, including a triple with two runs scored. Weather hit 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Jose Portela led all Hornets with three RBI following a three-run shot in the top of the seventh. The home run was the second for Portela in as many games. Sanchez drove in two runs, hitting 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored.

Anthony Gibbons (0-2) suffered his second loss of the season, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits in a third of an inning of relief. Starter Josh Schmidt earned a “no decision” allowing no runs on two hits while striking out three in four innings of action.

Towson’s Charlie Cononie earned the victory, allowing four runs on three hits while striking out seven in four and one-third innings of relief. Squatrito who gave up one run on three hits was credited with the save.

Delaware State will travel to Daytona Beach, Fla., to take on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in a three-game series beginning on Saturday, May 2. Game One will air live on ESPNU with first pitch at 3 p.m.