Devina Brown went 2-for-2 with 2RBI and a run scored against Delaware State on Sunday.
Delaware State 2, Morgan State 6
Bear Shots
BALTIMORE, Md. (May 8, 2011)-Less than 24 hours after getting swept by Delaware State in a doubleheader on Saturday and losing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) North Division title to the visiting Hornets, Morgan State was faced with a near must-win situation on Sunday afternoon.
Just a day earlier, Morgan State was in second-place in the standings with an opportunity to capture the division crown. With the losses the Lady Bears dropped to third. Another loss to the Hornets along with a Howard victory over Maryland Eastern Shore, the Lady Bears would fall to the fourth and final spot in the division heading into next week's MEAC championship.
Behind a strong pitching performance by senior Megan Johnson, backed by some solid defense, a four-run fourth inning and throw in four errors by Delaware State, Morgan State closed out the regular season with a 6-2 MEAC victory on 'Senior Day' over Delaware State at Lois T. Murray Field.
With the win Morgan State (16-25, 9-6 MEAC), who is returning to the league tournament for the first time since 2008, secured the No. 2 seed in the MEAC North Division.
The Lady Bears struck first in the third inning, when Devina Brown was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Brown then stole second base and advanced to third on the throw. Tiffany Rubin recorded Morgan State's first hit of the day with a RBI single to left center, scoring Brown to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Morgan State went back to work in the fourth inning scoring four runs on two hits along with two errors from the Hornets to increase its advantage to 5-0.
Johnson, who was making her final career start at home, held the Hornets (29-17, 11-4 MEAC) to just one hit in the second inning, until Delaware State recorded four hits in the fifth. The Hornets loaded the bases when Samantha Gross singled to center field with one out. Kelsey Lewis followed with a RBI single to score Leslie Pleasanton. But Johnson would get out of the inning with no further damage.
Both teams added a run each in the sixth inning, giving Morgan State a 6-2 advantage and Johnson retired the Hornets in order in the seventh to secure the complete game victory.
Johnson improved to 5-3 on the season with the win. She surrendered two runs on seven hits, had no walks and struck out one batter. Brown led Morgan State offensively with a 2-for-2 performance with 2RBI and a run scored.
Delaware State was led by Tawny Reeger, who went 2-for-3 with a RBI. Stephanie Sarris started the game at pitcher for the Hornets, facing six batters in two innings of work. Casey Beighley (9-7) was charged with the loss, allowing five runs on three hits and two walks in two innings of work.
