Box Score

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. -- Senior starter Jordan Bone (Pittston, Pa.) brought his "A" game to Hawk Stadium Sunday. In the series finale, Bone went seven strong innings and gave up just one run in that span. Unfortunately, the Hawks were unable to find a clutch hit to back their starter, crossing home just once in the game. Norfolk State eventually cashed in twice in the ninth to take the rubber game of the series, 3-1.

Bone efficiently retired the Spartans in nearly every inning he pitched, backed by a strong defense. Except in the second, when Norfolk State got a run on a fielder's choice, the visitors found it hard to get on base. When they did, they were usually stranded as Bone left seven Spartans on the base paths when the side was retired. Overall he threw 96 pitches, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out two.

His performance today lowered his ERA to 3.90, lowest among the team's starters. Bone's two strikeouts increased his season total to 13, third most on the squad.

"Obviously it was a tough loss today, but we are proud of how the team battled against a tough Norfolk State team." said Hawks coach John O'Neil. "Pitching and defense was great again today."

The Hawks would strike first in the game. Senior Joshua James (Milford, Del.) punched in a single and fellow senior Greg Turlik (Gaithersburg, Md.) drove him home with a double. Norfolk's fielders choice would tie the score and a pitchers' duel would ensue all the way to the final inning.

UMES did have plenty of chances to retake the lead. Junior Mike Escanilla got a one-out single in the third, and the Hawks would load the bases on another James hit and Turlik wearing a Stephen Butt pitch. However, Butt would come back with a strikeout, leaving all three runners stranded. The following inning, UMES got sophomores Skylar Murray (Georgetown, Del.) to third and Jordan Martin (Atlanta, Ga.) to second, but a groundout retired the side. In the fifth, the Hawks loaded the bases again thanks to a pair of walks and another hit by pitch, but a flyout kept the runners from scoring this time.

"We were just a few timely hits away from having a different result." O'Neil remarked.

The stalemate continued all the way to the ninth inning, when Norfolk State found a crack in the stone walled pitching of the Hawks. After a leadoff walk by Angel Rosario and a sacfrice bunt, the Spartans sent pinch hitter Kyle Vaas to the dish. His single drove home Rosario for a 2-1 lead. Another run would be pushed across, giving the visitors a two run edge.

A two run cushion would prove to be enough, as Robbie Hiser, traditionally an infielder, was called onto close. Three Hawks came up, and three were retired, sealing the win for the Spartans.

Senior Chipper Smith (Florence, S.C.) took the loss, falling to 1-2 on the year. Norfolk's Josh Vales picked up his second victory this season. The Spartans pulled to within a game of the Hawks, improving their MEAC record to 3-3 while dropping the Hawks to 4-2.

UMES concludes its four game home stretch with a midweek date with the Hoyas of Georgetown. A 3:00p.m. start is scheduled.