After some early-season struggles, the bats came alive for the Delaware baseball team Monday.

The Blue Hens defeated Rider 8-5 and Delaware State 15-5 on the final day of the Bob Hannah Invitational.

After averaging just 4.1 runs and 9.2 hits per game over the first eight games of the season, the Hens (4-6) exploded for 23 runs and 19 hits on the way to the sweep. The total included five home runs.

Against Rider, Nick Patten gave UD the lead for good when he connected on a three-run home run to left for his first longball of the season. Patten went 2-for-2, stole a base, and scored three runs.

Starting pitcher Nick Spadafino (Dover) picked up the win as he allowed three hits and four runs in five innings.

In the nightcap, the Hens connected on four homers and 11 hits to defeat DelState (2-7).

Senior Jordan Glover connected on a two-run shot in the first before adding another home run to left-center field gap in the sixth. Diaz Nardo (Cape Henlopen) added a three-run homer as the Hens built an 8-0 lead.

Freshman Jordan Hutchins (Dover) earned his first career start at shortstop and connected on his first career hit leading off the fourth.

The Hornets got on the board with three runs in the fourth. Tommy Jordan (Milford) drove in the first run on a one-out, bases-loaded single.

Evan Regez singled in DSU’s second run while the third run crossed the plate when Kwestin Smith reached base on a fielder’s choice to cut the Hens’ lead to 8-3.

College basketball

WOMEN, Norfolk State 60, Delaware State 40: The fifth-seeded Spartans outscored the No. 12 Hornets, 25-2, in the third quarter to oust DSU in the first round of the MEAC Tournament.

The Hornets trailed only 30-24 at halftime. NaJai Pollard was the leading scorer for Delaware State with a double-double of 18 points and 11 boards to go with three steals.

College lacrosse

WOMEN, Wesley 16, Bryn Mawr 2: The Wolverines improved to 4-0, the best start in program history.

Fallon Fore netted a game-high six goals with three draw controls and two ground balls.

Brianna Bacon and Maddison Cypher collected four and three goals, respectively. Paige Brehm had two goals while Shelby Schirmer stopped four of the six shots she faced.

College softball

Wesley wins twice in S.C.: The Wolverines picked up two shutout wins on Monday to start their spring break trip at the Fast Pitch Dreams Spring Classic at Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Wesley opened the day with a 1-0 win over the Medaille. Ashley Royer (2-for-3) pushed across the only run of the game in the bottom of the first when she doubled home Samantha Burns (Polytech).

Lilly Engel (Polytech) pitched a complete-game shutout for the Wolverines.

Lindsay Siok (Milford) followed by pitching Wesley to a 2-0 victory over Ursinus.

Siok struck out six and didn’t allow a walk to earn her fourth victory of the season. She also registered two hits at the plate.

Wesley put a run on the board in the top of second inning. Following a leadoff single by Siok, DiRubbio pinch ran for Siok at first.

In the second, Karina Cardona tripled home Megan DiRubbio (Polytech) with the contest’s first run. In the fifth, Brooke Retkowski drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk to allow Royer (3-for-4) to score from third base.

College track & field

Hens shine at ECACs: Delaware’s 3,200-meter relay team broke the school record at the ECAC Championships in Boston.

Liz McGroarty, Jeanette Bendolph (Caesar Rodney), Angie Spadaccini and senior Betsy Erlanger shattered the UD record (8:57.32) for the second straight day to post a fourth-place showing.

Also for the Hens, junior Sarah Hillman (Polytech) earned All-East honors for the third straight year as she placed third in the shot put with a toss of 48-4.5.