April 24, 2006

Box Score

Savannah, Ga. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) baseball team fell to Savannah State University (26-16) in a nine inning contest, 7-1. The Hawks had a tough day offensively as they could only muster up five hits, as nine batters struck out and seven were left stranded.

Both teams opened with scoreless first, second and third innings. UMES (11-27-1, 5-7 MEAC) got on the board first as they surrendered a single run in the fourth inning. Joel Maher led off the inning with a single through the left side. Greg Cathell would reach next on an error by Tiger third baseman Christopher Phethean. Cathell and Maher would both steal second and third respectively. Cathell advanced to third on a throwing error that would also plate Maher.

Down 1-0 Savannah would answer back with two runs of their own on two hits in the bottom of the fourth. With one out Tiger first baseman Gerald Smith would double to center field. Starting pitcher Marcus Cortes would hit a two-run bomb to left field, recording two RBI.

Savannah State registered their highest offensive inning of the afternoon plating three runs on three hits in the bottom of the fifth, to take a 5-1 lead over UMES.

The Tigers would cross their final pair of runs on one hit and one Hawks error in the bottom of the sixth, to seal the win.

Matt Russell (0-1) was tagged with the loss as went one and a third innings giving up three hits, while allowing five runs, all earned and walking three.

Five Hawks led the way with a hit a piece.

Cortes (9-4) pitched a gem for Savannah, scattering four hits and allowing just one unearned run, while striking out seven in six innings for the win. He also led the way for the Tigers offensively, going 2-for-4 including a homerun, while recording three RBI and plating a run.

UMES next travels to Tallahassee, FL to take on the Rattlers of Florida A&M University in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) match-up. The three game series begins on April 25, 2006 at 6:00 pm.