Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Nearly two weeks since their last contest, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Softball Team returned to the diamond to compete in the Spartan Invitational, hosted by USC-Upstate. The squad dropped their tournament opener to the Bryant Bulldogs, 11-1 and fell to 0-4 overall on the season.

Junior Vanessa Gomez (Belleville, N.J.) had a solid performance for the Lady Hawks, going a perfect 3-of-3 from the plate. The New Jersey-product recorded her third multi-hit game on the year. Sophomore Allison Anderson (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and freshman Tesharra Hill (Chatsworth, Calif.) each registered a hit in a losing effort.

After a scoreless first inning, the Bulldogs' Taylor Burger drilled a solo homer over the centerfield wall and gave Bryant the early advantage, 1-0. In the third, Bryant went on an offensive explosion as they scored 10 runs, 11-1. Despite the deficit, the Lady Hawks continued to battle.

In their final at-bat, UMES got on the board. With two outs, Gomez tripled down the leftfield line to get into scoring position. Next, Anderson singled to right field, scoring Gomez, to avoid the shutout, 11-1.

Bryant's Rachel Monroe went 2-of-3, including a double and a homer, with four RBIs. Elle Madsen and Madeline Velasquez each added two hits in the victory.

Tomorrow (02/21), UMES wraps up the tournament against the Bulldogs and USC-Upstate. Maryland Eastern Shore takes on Bryant at noon, followed by the Spartans at 2 p.m.

For complete recaps, results and news of Hawk athletics, please visit www.umeshawks.com.