Tursellino Tosses No-Hitter, Bats Stay Hot in DSU’s 12-0 Win Over Morgan State

DOVER, Del. – In what was a makeup game from earlier this month, the Delaware State softball team (11-21, 5-4 MEAC) tallied its fourth win in a row with a 12-0 five-inning victory over the visiting Morgan State Bears (3-24, 2-6 MEAC) Wednesday afternoon, behind the Hornets registering double digit runs (12) and hits (12) for the fourth consecutive game, in addition to sophomore Tara Tursellino (7-14) tossing six K’s on her way to her first-career no-hitter.

This victory also resulted in Delaware State winning the season series, taking two out of three from the Bears, while Morgan State dropped its fourth straight overall.

Leading 3-0 after the first inning, headlined by catcher Sandy Hawthorne driving in two runs with one of her two doubles on the day, DSU’s Vanessa Washington made it a 4-0 ball game with a single to left to bring outfielder Nicole Gazzola, who reached base via a bunt single.  As the inning progressed, the Hornets loaded the bases after infielder Jordan Stamps was drilled by starter Amy Begg (3-15), resulting in ensuing batter Danielle Velez (2) blasting one deep over the center field wall off reliever Victoria Propst (0-1).  For Velez, it marked the second time she’s homered in as many games.

In the third, Delaware State added to its advantage with outfielder Nkili Matthews scoring from third while Gazzola collected her second stolen base, whereas Hawthorne drove in Gazzola with a double, followed by Stamps bringing in Hawthorne with a single through the left side.

At game’s end, Gazzola, Hawthorne, Washington, Velez and Matthews all registered two hits, while Gazzola scored three times.  Tursellino, the reigning MEAC Rookie of the Year, allowed five walks to pick up her seventh win of the season in 20 starts.

Coming up, the Columbia Blue & Red will look to stay hot this weekend at Norfolk State in a critical MEAC three-game set.  Last season, Delaware State took two out of three from the Spartans at home, including a 9-0 five-inning win to open the series.

For complete story, visit www.dsuhornets.com or www.morganstatebears.com

Smith extends hitting streak as Coppin State falls to George Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Danielle Smith extended her career-best hitting streak to 12 games with a fifth-inning single to rightfield during a  5-0 setback to George Washington Wednesday afternoon at the GW Softball Field.

The Eagles (3-22 overall, 3-6 MEAC) were led by senior Candice Van Horn with two doubles. In upping her batting average to .397 overall, Van Horn had her sixth multi-hit game of the season. She has 26 during her stellar career.

Juniors Shelby Mendoza and sophomore Taylor Haller also had hits in the game. Pitcher Elle Vogel was solid in the circle for Coppin State as she tossed three scoreless innings before the Colonials scored in the fourth inning.

Coppin State will return to action on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. at the University of Delaware for its final non-conference game of the season.

For complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com