Nov. 6, 2008

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Former University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball student-athletes from the 1960s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s returned to Hawk Stadium Saturday, Nov. 1 to participate in the annual alumni baseball game. The event had been missed over the past two years due to weather and field conditions.

"It's nice to finally get this event off the ground," UMES head coach Will Gardner said following his first alumni game. "I understand it had been such a great experience for years prior to my arrival and I have really been disappointed that we haven't been able to get this thing going before now. The interaction between the old and the new is something at which to really marvel," he continued.

"I'm looking forward to this event for many years to come with increased participation."

The event included a round of batting practice, the game, and a picnic out at the baseball field.

Participants travelled from as far away as Trenton, N.J. and Landsdowne, Pa. There was some local flavor from the Baltimore and Somerset County, as well.

The Hawks defeated the Alumni, but that wasn't the important part. It was a time of reliving old memories and having a whole lot of laughs, while creating new friendships with the younger kin.

Assistant coach Eric Armstrong led the current Hawks against a determined group of alumni. "It was a great opportunity for us to see what our younger guys can do in a game situation," Gardner said. "They showed us a lot."