Box Score

HOOVER, Ala. -- On a cold night in the Alabama foothills, the Hawks battled hard and valiantly against a talented University of Alabama squad. Unfortunately, the Crimson Tide lived up to their Top 25 status with a 6-0 defeat of UMES at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. The meeting served as the season opener for both teams.

The high mark of the night belongs to sophomore Jesse Stinnett (Madison Heights, Va.) who responded well to the call of an opening night starter. He largely held Alabama in check thru the first four innings, allowing just a single unearned run. Before he was pulled, Stinnett tossed five innings, gave up just five hits and two earned runs while striking out eight, the second most in his Hawk career.

UMES kept pace with the #20 team in the nation early on and almost took the lead in the third inning. Senior Joshua James (Milford, Del.) delivered a single and freshman Quenton Hamrick (New Castle, Del.) drew a walk. Alabama then got the Hawks to ground into a force out, ending the frame.

The Crimson Tide took charge in the bottom of the third inning. After a Hawks error, a single by Georgie Salem scored the go-ahead run. In hindsight, it would prove to be the only run the Crimson Tide would need. However, they tacked on two runs in the fifth on a passed ball and an RBI double. A run in the seventh and two run in the eighth would follow.

Starting with a double by sophomore Justin Dattilo (Pittsburgh, Pa.), the Hawks worked hard to claw their way back. A single moved the Hawks catcher to third, but two outs sealed the victory for Alabama.

Sophomore Skylar Murray (Georgetown, Del.) managed two hits off the two SEC caliber pitchers, as well as James, Dattilo and junior Connor Breslin (Saylorsburg, Pa.). Junior J.P. Black (Elkton, Md.) and sophomore Kameron Raison (Newark, Del.) both saw action out of the bullpen, with Raison tossing 2/3 of an inning in scoreless relief.

Several newcomers to the team contributed in their debuts. Freshmen Chris Melrath (Rising Sun, Md.) and Travis Carden (Largo, Fla.) saw time as relief pitchers, with Melrath going 1 1/3 innings. Another first year player, Grayson Trower (Chesterfield, Va.) went 0-for-3 at the dish, but helped by making a specatular defensive catch in the outfield that helped to keep the Tide at bay. Sophomore Jordan Martin (Atlanta, Ga.) started at shortstop and worked a walk in the sixth inning.

UMES resumes the three game series tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time. Senior Jordan Bone (Pittston, Pa.) will start for the Hawks while Will Carter will be on the bump for the Crimson Tide. The game can once again be viewed on SEC Network + and ESPN 3.