DSU opens season with Split in Akron matchup

DSU scored three runs in the sixth inning

In the first five innings of this game, there were no runs on the scoreboard, which came from the dominant pitching of both teams. The hitters of each team just could not figure out the Hornets Mayanah McIntosh and Akron’s Olivia Stefanoni.

That would all change in the bottom of the sixth inning when the Zips made a pitching change from Stefanoni to Olivia Otani, and the Delaware State hitters finally found their spark to get runs on the board.

The bottom of the sixth inning started with Jaelyn Baker hitting a single to the left side of the field. Baker would also advance to second base on a passed ball.

After a ground out, Jade King would get hit by a pitch and earn a spot at first base.

The first run of the game would come from Jonah Cunnigan, who reached on base with a fielder’s choice, but her teammate Baker would score from second to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead.

Two plays later, Yanique Spencer would hit a two-out double to right field, which would score her teammates King and Cunnigan to give Delaware State a 3-0 lead.

Akron scores in the 7th but DSU wins

The only real hiccup in this game for Mayanah McIntosh came in the seventh inning when Akron’s Molly McChesney reached base on a bunt single. McChesney would then steal second and get home by her teammate Tiffany Stevens flying out the right field, which made the score 3-1.

After that one run, McIntosh tightened back up and would get the final out to seal a 3-1 win for the Hornets.