LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- The University of Delaware and Rider Univeristy combined for nine home runs as the teams split a softball doubleheader Wednesday afternoon. The Blue Hens won the opener, 9-7, before the Broncs took the nightcap, 7-6.

Allison Borchers began the slugfest by leading off the first game with a home run for Delaware, which is now 25-13 following the split. The Blue Hens maintained their one-run lead until they scored four runs in the top of the fourth.

With one out Borchers singled, Katie DeSalvo beat out a bunt single and Michelle Plant was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Kim Ovittore (right) followed with a grand slam to give Delaware a 5-0 lead. However in the bottom of the inning Jill Carrabus drilled a three-run homer and Desiree Harbaugh followed with a solo shot as Rider, which is now 14-17 on the year, pulled within 5-4.

In the sixth a single by Plant and a walk to Ovittore put runners on first and second, and after an out and a wild pitch, Barbara Traynor singled home Plant to give the Hens a two-run lead. Marianne Marinella then singled home Ovittore, and following a pitching change Traynor scored on a wild pitch to make it an 8-4 game. However the Broncs again answered in the bottom of the frame, as Kristin Kenavan hit a three-run home run to again bring Rider within a run.

But in the seventh DeSalvo was hit by a pitch and came around to score on a passed ball, and Blue Hen starter Carolynn Sloat retired the Broncs in order in the bottom of the inning as Delaware hung on for the win. Sloat improved to 14-9 on the year despite allowing seven earned runs on six hits while striking out five batters and walking two. Rider starter Jessica Holland took the loss after allowing seven earned runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings of work.

Borchers finished 3 for 5 with two runs scored for Delaware, while Traynor was 3 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. Plant went 2 for 3 with a pair of runs scored, while Ovittore was 2 for 4 with two runs scored and four batted in.

Delaware again took the lead in the nightcap by scoring a run in the top of the first as Borchers led off with a single, moved to third on a single by DeSalvo, and scored on a groundout by Plant. However the Broncs scored twice in the bottom of the frame as Ashley Boulden reached on an error and Tiffany Day-Neutill followed with a two-run homer.

The Hens regained the lead in the third when DeSalvo walked and scored on a two-run home run by Ovittore, but the Broncs tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth when Harbaugh led off the frame with a home run. In the fifth Plant reached on an error with one out, and one out later Quinn Megargel walked. Traynor then singled home Plant, and Megargel scored on an error by Broncs centerfielder Jennifer Cullen as Delware went back on top, 5-3.

However Rider took the lead for good by scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth. After the Broncs loaded the bases wiith one out, Harbaugh, Carrabus, Mandi Sekly and Aimee Schiller followed with consecutive RBI singles to give Rider a 7-5 advantage. Katie Lee hit her first home run of the year in the sixth to bring Delaware within a run, but the Blue Hens could not score the equalizer.

Broncs pitcher Lauren Brunner improved to 1-5 after allowing six runs, three earned, on nine hits while striking out six. Blue Hens starter Lindsay Jones dropped to 10-4 after giving up seven runs, six earned, on 10 hits while posting seven strikeouts. Lee finished 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI to lead the Delaware attack.

The Blue Hens return to Colonial Athletic Association play on Friday when they host Towson in a doubleheader begiinning at 2 p.m.

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