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DOVER, Delaware - The rainy weather allowed for only one game of Saturday's doubleheader between Delaware State and Maryland Eastern Shore, and in a close game, it was the Hornets who pulled off the victory, 3-2, over the Hawks.

Maryland Eastern Shore falls to 8-28 (5-11 MEAC) while Delaware State improves to 13-19 (8-8 MEAC) on the season. The teams will play a doubleheader Sunday at noon in Dover.

Pitching and defense was the name of the game for both sides. Hawks freshman starter Wesley Martin (Westminster, Maryland) gave up just one earned run over 5 1/3 innings with four strikeouts. Junior reliever Toby Hoskins (North East, Maryland) provided 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief with an additional three strikeouts.

For Delaware State, Lane DeLeon went seven innings and struck out seven to earn the win. Darien Ragins held off a rally in the ninth to earn the save.

Both sides were efficient despite the wet field conditions, combining for only one error throughout the contest. The only position that showed any signs of struggles were the catchers, who combined for three passed balls.

Despite the dominant pitching, six Hawks managed base hits and seven more got on base via a walk or a hit by pitch. The Shore had several opportunities to rally but the Hornets managed to bear down when it mattered, holding the Hawks to 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position and 11 stranded on base.

Delaware State got on the board first with a run in the second inning. The Hawks were held in check until the sixth, when sophomore Joey Nicastro (New Market, Maryland) lined a double to score his classmate Ryan Rotondo (Warwick, Rhode Island). The Hornets responded with two more runs in the bottom half of the inning.

The Shore made a couple of rallies late. In the eighth junior Isaiah Chambers (Bowie, Maryland) hit the team's second RBI double of the game to cut the deficit in half, but the Hornets retired the side with the tying run at third. With one last chance in the ninth got runners on the corners with two down, but a lineout to second ended the threat and sealed the win for the Hornets.