Feb. 27, 2012
Final Stats
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The Hawks led after three-and-a-half innings against Western Illinois, but fell to the Leathernecks 9-3 on Sunday. UMES goes to 0-7 on the year while Western Illinois goes to 2-4.
UMES struck first in the top of third, starting with a one-out double by Joshua James (Milford, Del.). Two batters later, Stephen Bull (Millsboro, Del.) hit a double down the left field line to score James. Next at bat, Tre-Von Johnson (East New Market, Md.) hit a single through the hole on the left side to score Bull and give UMES a 2-0 lead.
Jesus Hernandez (Haverstraw, N.Y.) pitched a scoreless three innings before the fourth, when Western Illinois tied the game. With second and third and out out, Manny Reyes hit a sacrifice fly to center to bring home a run. Two batters later, Matt Igara singled to right to bring in Steve Kedroski for a 2-2 game.
Hernandez finished the game with a no decision, going five innings with just two runs allowed in his first ever start with UMES, adding three strikeouts.
The sixth inning was tough for UMES as the Leathernecks brought home two runners without getting a hit, including two walks, a wild pitch and a passed ball, giving WIU a 4-2 lead.
Western Illinois continued their production with five runs in the bottom of the seventh, including a pair of RBI doubles from Igara and Ryan Cowhey, to take a 9-2 advantage.
The Hawks got back a run in the top of the ninth off an RBI ground out by Malik Wylie (Bronx, N.Y.) to score James Smith (Florence, S.C.), but the deficit was too much as UMES fell 9-3.
Alex Welch (Baltimore, Md.) (0-1) got the loss, allowing two walks to start the bottom of the sixth. Karim Gonzalez (Mexico City, Mexico) threw a scoreless eighth with a strikeout.
Bull finished 1-for-2, reaching base three times with a double and a pair of walks, scoring and driving home a run.
Igara led the Leathernecks, going 2-for-3 with a pair of runs, walks and RBI, while Austin Cowen went 1-for-2 with a pair of RBI.
UMES will return home for its home opener on Wednesday for a doubleheader against Lehigh starting at noon at Hawks Stadium.
