May 18, 2006
Box Score
Norfolk, Va. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) baseball team grabbed their first post season win tonight as they defeated the number three seed Coppin State University (CSU) Eagles in the first round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) tournament. The Hawks pounded out 19 hits in the 14-6 victory.
Sophomore Brad Powell led the attack going 4-5 including a double, while registering three runs and three RBI. Shortstop Eric Gaines and right-fielder Ronald Quick each tallied three hits apiece for the Hawks. Bernie Stratchko, Justin Hoban and Pete Mayta had two hits apiece in the nightcap.
Second team All-MEAC pitcher Dustin Longchamps (7-6) threw seven innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits to clinch the win.
UMES (15-32-1) opened scoring in the top of the first with a single through the left-side from Gaines. Centerfielder Joel Maher would follow with a single up the middle that would advance Gaines to third. First baseman Greg Cathell would reach on a fielders' choice but Maher would be thrown out at second. Hoban hit an RBI-single through the left-side that plated Gaines. An RBI-sacrifice fly from Quick would score Cathell.
CSU (12-40-1) would take advantage of two Hawk errors in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at two.
Eagles starter Bill Auch (4-11) would surrender four runs on three hits to give the Hawks a 6-2 lead in the top of the second.
In the top of the third, Coppin went to their bullpen and put senior Dennis Lane on the mound. UMES would cross another two runs on three hits and one Coppin error.
Trailing 8-2 in the bottom of the fourth, Coppin would plate a single run on two hits. Shortstop Paul Conway tripled to centerfield and then crossed on a wild pitch.
UMES answered back with a run in the top of the fifth and two runs in the top of the sixth. The Eagles struggled on the mound in the fifth as they turned to their bullpen once again this time calling freshman Kalif Persons to the mound.
The Fighting Hawks would take their largest lead of the nightcap in the top of the seventh inning. Powell led off the inning with a single through the right-side. A single from Gaines advanced Powell to third. Maher reached on an error by the shortstop, advancing Gaines to third and plating Powell. Cathell singled up the middle to plate Gaines. A walk from Hoban would load the bases. Stratchko would also walk to cross Maher, to bring the game to 14-3.
Coppin would cut the lead to eight, as they would plate their final three runs on three hits and one Hawk error, in the bottom of the eighth.
Auch took the loss for the Eagles as he threw just two innings giving up six runs (all earned) on six hits and walked one.
Catcher Matt Mansfield led the way for the Eagles as he went 3-4 while recording an RBI.
UMES advances to the second round of tournament play tomorrow as they will take on Delaware State University at 2:00 p.m.
