ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – The Delaware State Lady Hornets exploded for six runs during the final two innings to pull away from North Carolina A&T State, 8-5, on Thursday afternoon during the opening round of the 2016 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Softball Championship at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

The Lady Hornets, the No. 1 seed from the Northern Division, broke open a 2-1 game with three runs in the fifth. The Aggies, the No. 4 seed from the Southern Division, cut the deficit to 5-4 with three runs in the top of the sixth, but Delaware State put the game out of reach with three runs in the bottom of the frame.

Tara Tursellino (14-7) picked up the win for the Lady Hornets (28-16). She fanned seven and surrendered four runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings. Nicole Brock worked the final 1.1 innings to pick up the save.

Offensively, Delaware State racked up 11 hits, including three from Nicole Gazzola and Sandy Hawthorne.

Mohagony Headen (7-5) took the loss for the Aggies. She gave up five runs (three earned) on eight hits. Zadaisha Waddell worked 1.2 innings in relief.

North Carolina A&T State finished with nine hits, including three from Raven Gray.

Delaware State advances in the winner’s bracket and will meet the winner of Bethune-Cookman and Hampton. North Carolina A&T State falls into the elimination bracket and will face either Bethune-Cookman or Hampton.