DOVER, Del. – Sebastien Sarabia connected for a two-run single in the top of the ninth to lift the Coppin State baseball team to a 4-2 MEAC victory at Delaware State on Friday afternoon at Bob Reed Field. With the win, Coppin improves to 16-22 overall and take sole ownership of first place in the MEAC with a 12-9 record in league play.
A sophomore from Simi Valley, Calif., Sarabia's game-winning hit came with the bases loaded and two outs.
Brian Nicolas started the ninth with a leadoff walk and was sacrificed to second by
Wellington Balsley.
Josh Hankins was then walked and the duo both advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch before
Jordan Hamberg drew a walk to load the bases for Sarabia who went opposite field for a base hit.
Rashad Ruff was called out of the bullpen to close the game, and after issuing a leadoff walk forced a 5-4-3 double play before forcing Trey Paige into a groundout to end the game.
John Neeld got the win in relief of
Tyler Nichol as he did not allow a run or hit in his 3.0 innings of work. Nichol fanned seven Hornets while giving up just two earned runs on seven hits over the first 5.0 innings.
Coppin was held scoreless over the first four innings while DSU took a 1-0 lead after the second. The Eagles got on the board and took the lead with two runs in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Hankins as well as an RBI single by
Marcos Castillo. Hankins drove in Balsley who had doubled to start the frame before getting to third on a wild pitch. Hamberg later scored after doubling earlier in the inning.
Delaware State tied the score at 2-2 in its half of the fifth which ended the day for Nichol.
Balsley had three of the Eagles' ten hits on the day as he went 3-for-4 with a run scored with a double, a sacrifice hit and two stolen bases. Castillo, who stole a pair of bases, and
Corey Miley had two hits apiece with Miley also drawing a walk on his 2-for-2 day.
The Eagles will play a doubleheader at Delaware State at 12 pm on Saturday, April 23 at Bob Reed Field.
