NEWARK, DE -- Michelle Plant (at right) hit a three-run homer in the opener to lead the University of Delaware softball team to a 6-1 win over Villanova while the nightcap ended in a 2-2 tie Tuesday afternoon at Delaware Field.

The Blue Hens, who improved to 14-16-2 following the doubleheader, broke a scoreless tie in the opener by scoring four runs in the bottom of the third inning. Shanette White led off the frame with a single up the middle, and she advanced to second on a bunt single by Allison Borchers. White then scored when Katie Lee reached on an error by Villanova third baseman Meghan Morese, and Michelle Plant followed by drilling a home run to centerfield, the first round-tripper of her career.

The Wildcats, who fell to 17-19-1 on the season, got on the board in the top of the sixth when Shari Donley singled with one out, moved to second on a groundout by Cassie Koenig, and scored on a single to left by Danielle Maricle. However in the bottom of the frame Borchers singled to center and scored when Lee followed with a triple to right. Lee then scored while Plant reached on an error by Villanova second baseman Jess O’Boyle as the Blue Hens executed a squeeze play.

Delaware pitcher Carolynn Sloat improved to 8-8 after allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out three batters, while Wildcats starter Laura Determan fell to 10-9 after giving up six runs, five earned, on six hits with seven strikeouts.

Plant finished 1 for 3 with four RBI and a run scored for the Blue Hens, while Borchers was 2 for 2 with two runs scored and two walks. Lee went 1 for 3 with two runs scored, an RBI and a walk, while White was 1 for 2 with a walk and a run scored.

Villanova took the early lead in the second game when O’Boyle singled home Maricle, and added a run in the third when Carolyn Brown scored on a double steal.

Delaware got a run back in the fourth as Kim Ovittore led off with a double to center, moved to third on a groundout by Michelle Kenney, and scored on a wild pitch. The Blue Hens then tied the game in the sixth when Ovittore led off with a single, moved to second on a groundout by Kenney, and scored on a single to center by Mary Ann Magee. After each team went scoreless in the seventh inning, the game was called due to darkness.

Samantha Shawn allowed two runs, one earned, on seven hits with three strikeouts for Delaware, while Villanova starter Kat Walsh gave up two earned runs on five hits while striking out eight. Ovittore finished 2 for 2 with a pair of walks and two runs scored, while Borchers, Magee, and Katie DeSalvo each had a hit for the Blue Hens.

Delaware travels to UMBC on Wednesday for a 2:30 p.m. doubleheader with the Retrievers.

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