A strong performance both on the mound and at the plate led to a lopsided victory for the Delaware State (11-12-1, 3-1 MEAC) as the Hornets downed the Coppin State Eagles (0-15, 0-6 MEAC), 18-0, on Saturday, April 4 at Soldier Field. Despite begin played on the campus of Delaware State University, the game counted as a home contest for the Eagles due to poor field conditions in Baltimore, Md.
On the day, DSU registered 16 hits to improve the team’s batting average to .310 for the year. Leading the way was catcher Wynton Weather, who went 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. The four hits by the Virginia Beach, Va., native was a season-high. Senior James Johnson finished the day hitting 3-for-5, including grand slam, with five RBI and two runs scored. The grand slam home run was the first of Johnson’s DSU career. Ross Babineaux, who entered the day leading the nation in batting average, went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. The 2-for-3 performance improved the reigning MEAC Player of the Week’s batting average to .544. Babineaux is currently riding a six-game hitting streak. Shortstop Jose Sanchez crossed home plate three times on the afternoon, going 1-for-3 with two RBI versus the Eagles. With three runs scored, Sanchez improved his season total to 22, accounting for a DSU run in five-straight games.
Senior right-hander Dan Perkins (2-3, 2.40 ERA) picked up the victory. The Newark, Del., native threw seven innings of shut out baseball en route to his second victory of the year. Perkins allowed no runs on three hits while striking out 11 batters. The 11 Ks were a new career-best for the DSU hurler, who has set career records in strikeouts in each of his last three starts. On the year, Perkins has complied 44 strikeouts in 41 and one-third innings pitched, holding opposing batters to a .205 average on the year. Perkins has not allowed an earned run in 24-consecutive innings pitched.
The win improved Delaware State to 3-1 in MEAC play.
Delaware State will continue its three-game weekend series with CSU with a doubleheader on Sunday, April 5. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.