Box Score

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Spurred on by superb relief pitching and a late offensive attack, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team made a strong comeback attempt against the Winthrop Eagles in the series finale. However, the rally would fall one run short and perhaps one inning too late as Winthrop held on, 4-3, sweeping the Hawks.

"Obviously it's tough getting swept, but a lot of positives came out of the weekend" said Hawks coach John O'Neil. "Winthrop is a talented, well coached program and our guys stepped up to the challenge and played well. We fought hard and were a few plays away from having a different result."

The comeback began when junior Tanner Whiteman (Cazenovia, N.Y.) took the mound in the fifth inning. Winthrop was already leading 3-0 and when Whiteman conceded an RBI double that tacked on another run, it appeared as though the early run might extend into the later innings. Whiteman had no intentions of seeing that happen, as he thoroughly dominated the Eagles over the final three innings he pitched. In the end, he would go four innings, surrendering four hits while allowing one free pass and striking out two.

Meanwhile, the Hawks' offense did the inverse of Winthrop's, doing their damage against the Eagles' bullpen. After sophomore Connor Breslin (Saylorsburg, Pa.) led off the eighth with a single, he would score on a Winthrop throwing error as junior Mike Escanilla (Waldorf, Md.) simultaneously delivered a base hit. Escanilla would advance to third on a second Winthrop error, but would be stranded on a flyout.

In the ninth UMES made two quick outs, and it seemed the Hawks were destined for a quiet exit. However, a furious two-out rally kept the visitors alive. Sophomore Skylar Murray (Georgetown, Del.) was hit by a pitch and freshman Isaiah Chambers (Forestville, Md.) pinch ran for him. Back-to-back singles by freshman Quenton Hamrick (New Castle, Del.) and Breslin followed, loading the bases. The next batter, sophomore Jordan Martin (Atlanta, Ga.) hit a shot to right field for another single, plating Chambers and Hamrick to make it a one run game. Unfortunately, the next batter struck out, retiring the side and ending the contest with the tying Hawk run left at second base.

Both Escanilla and Breslin each collected two hits for the Hawks, as did sophomore Justin Dattilo (Pittsbugh, Pa.). Senior Jordan Bone (Pittston, Pa.) started for UMES, going 3 2/3 innings and giving up three runs.

The loss drops UMES to 2-10 on the season, while Winthrop improves to 10-4. If weather permits the Hawks will face Yale in a mid-week affair on Wednesday in Princess Anne. The single game is scheduled to begin at 2:30p.m., and the contest will serve as the team's home opener.