April 5, 2008

Box Score

DOVER, Del. - An offensive surge coupled with solid pitching proved too much for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Softball team to overcome as they suffered a pair of losses to Delaware State University (DSU) on Saturday.

After taking an early lead in the opener, UMES (7-20, 0-4) gave up 13 unanswered runs in a 13-2 five inning decision against the Lady Hornets. The Lady Hawks amassed just one hit whereas DSU pounded out 14 base knocks.

Brittney Ruark picked up the complete game win for DSU, allowing two earned runs to go along with five strikeouts, while Mishayla Truttman (Gresham, Ore./Gresham H.S.) took the loss as she gave up eight runs (five earned) in two and two third innings of work.

Truttman was responsible for the only UMES offensive production, finishing a flawless one-of-one, with two RBI, a run, and walk.

The Lady Hornets had 10 different batters collect hits and were paced by Jessica Chrabaszcz who finished two-of-three at the plate, with three RBI and two runs. Teammates Courtney Taylor, Aishia Holloman, and Kendra Goss all had two RBI apiece, while Taylor added a couple of hits and three runs. Nicole Demers went a perfect three-of-three in the batter's box as well.

UMES took their first and only lead of the afternoon on a Truttman two-run homerun, her first of the season, in the top of the second that made it 2-0 in favor of the visitors.

Unfortunately, DSU would answer with a Holloman two-run shot of her own in the bottom half of the inning to even the score at two all.

The Lady Hornets used a six run third inning, which included back-to-back RBI bunts from Chrabaszcz and Taylor, to widen their margin to 8-2 and effectively put the game away.

DSU padded their advantage with a four run fourth inning on the heels of three consecutive scoring plays, including a Chrabaszcz single up the middle to score a couple of runners, making it 13-2.

Ruark would shut down the UMES batters in the top of the fifth to end the game due to the mercy rule.

In game two, the bats kept rolling for DSU as they cranked out 11 hits to just two from the Lady Hawks in a 10-1 five inning decision.

Megan Lambertz went the distance to collect the win for DSU, giving up one earned run and tossing out six strikeouts, while Bonnie Heineken (North Pole, Alaska, North Pole H.S.) threw four hard innings in the losing cause for the Lady Hawks as she gave up 10 runs (eight earned).

The Lady Hawks offense was led once more by Truttman who finished one-of-two with the lone RBI. Kendra Saunders (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada/Streetsville Secondary School) added the other hit on top of a run.

DSU had another well-rounded offensive effort as nine different batters laid down hits, seven of which accounted for an RBI, including both Demers and Goss with two and one each, respectively.

Demers powered a three run first inning for the Lady Hornets with a base hit up the middle that drove home Lambertz.

A five run third put a dash in any comeback hopes of UMES as Goss capped off the inning with a triple down the left field line to score Chrabaszcz and extend the lead to 8-0.

UMES picked up a run in the top half of the fourth on a Truttman RBI single up the middle which brought in Saunders and trimmed the advantage to 8-1.

Nevertheless, DSU would respond with two more insurance runs behind consecutive RBI from Jo Jo Shields and Holloman, giving the Lady Hornets a 10-1 cushion heading into the fifth inning.

Lambertz put the Lady Hawks order down in the fifth to clinch the win for DSU.

Both teams conclude the weekend series on the diamond tomorrow afternoon beginning at 2:00 p.m.