March 22, 2009
Box Score
Hampton, Va. - The underdog nearly took it all at the Hampton University Tournament. Seeded 11th at the beginning of bracket play, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) topped both Pace University and Howard University on their way to the title game, where they would eventually fall to host Hampton University.
Hannah Mills (Parksley, Va.) pitched a complete seven inning game in the Lady Hawks 2-1 win over Pace. She struck out five, allowing six hits.
The contest was tied 1-1 going into the top of the fourth inning. Kristi Miranda (Houston, Texas) hit a two out single to third base to start the UMES rally. She advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored when Kyrus Whitehurst (Virginia Beach, Va.) singled to right center. Whitehurst was caught trying to steal second for the third out, but the damage had been done.
The Lady Hawks held onto their slim lead for the remaining innings, limiting the Setters to just two hits. Kiryl Shada received the loss for Pace.
UMES moved on to upset Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rival Howard University 2-1 in the semi's. The Lady Bison finished the 2008 regular season with 12-3 conference record and advanced to the semi-finals of the MEAC tournament.
Freshman Inde Whitehurst (Virginia Beach, Va.), sister of Kyrus Whitehurst, grabbed the second win of the day. She pitched a complete game allowing just one run from 34 batters faced.
It was a battle from behind for the Lady Hawks who trailed most of the contest. Kendra Saunders (Mississauga, Canada) singled down the right field line and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Mishayla Truttman (Gresham, Ore.) in the sixth inning. Saunders then scored to tie the game at one all when Kayla Nelson (Apple Valley, Calif.) reached on an error by the first baseman.
After holding the Lady Bison scoreless, Kyrus Whitehurst took advantage of a Howard pitching change, hitting the eventual game winning in the park homerun with one out.
Howard would get a base runner in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh, but Inde Whitehurst survived the inning giving up zero hits and zero runs. Christina McCoy grabbed the loss for Howard.
Unfortunately, the Lady Hawks ran out of steam in the championship game against Hampton, falling 6-0. They managed just three hits to Hampton's 11 in the loss.
Mills pitched five innings of the nightcap and held the Lady Pirates to just one run through four innings.
But Hampton's bats were on fire in the fifth, knocking in five runs on four hits to go ahead by six. UMES could not respond and finished the tournament in second place. 2008 MEAC Pitcher of the Year Amanda Black received the win for Hampton.
Cassandra Carlos (Norwalk, Calif.) was named to the All-Tournament Team for her steady play throughout the weekend.
UMES will get another shot at the Lady Pirates on March 28. Big difference this time will be location, as the teams are set battle in double-header action on Lady Hawks Field in Princess Anne, Md. It will be the third meeting for the MEAC rivals and UMES' conference home opener.
