Allison Rubin and Brianna Parr both went 2-for-3 at the plate to help No. 2 Delaware State to a 3-0 win over No. 3 Norfolk State in the opening round of the 2009 MEAC Softball Tournament at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

The game was a rematch of the 2008 conference championship game with the same result and the same score.

DSU (23-20) picked up a run in the bottom of the first after an error by NSU shortstop Jamie Raab to take a 1-0 lead. The Lady Hornets got two more runs in the fourth when Alyssa Velazquez walked Rachel Caroll with the bases loaded and after Rubin's RBI single.

The Spartans (22-24) only managed eight hits off DSU pitcher Brittany Ruark and they stranded 13 runners. Ruark walked three and struck out five in the seven-inning shutout for the win. Velazquez pitched 4.1 innings and allowed eight hits, three runs (two earned), struck out three and walked two.

For the Spartans, Raab and Rebecca Barnes each went 2-for-4.

Delaware State takes on No. 1 Florida A&M at 7 p.m. in the winner's bracket and Norfolk  will play No. 3 Hampton in an elimination game at 4:30 p.m.

Admission for the 2009 MEAC Softball Championship is $5 for children, students and seniors. Ticket prices for the entire tournament are $12.

For more information on MEAC Softball, log on to www.meacsports.com.