April 26, 2015 Box Score
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. -- Seeking a series sweep against Norfolk State, the Hawks fell behind early in the Sunday finale. Despite a vigorous four run rally in one inning, the Spartans snuffed out any rally the rest of the game, ultimately defeating UMES by a 5-4 score.
Norfolk State jumped out of the gate early with crooked numbers in the second and third innings. Noah Johnson hit a sacrifice fly and Mikey Bruno scored on an error to make it 2-0 Spartans in the second. The following inning they would pick three more on RBIs by Ryan Kilmon and Roger Hall, along with a steal of home by Angel Rosario.
The score now at 5-0, the Hawks used a big inning to climb back into the contest. It started with a single by freshman Isaiah Chambers (Forestville, Md.), followed by senior Joshua James (Milford, Del.) reaching on an error and a single from sophomore Justin Dattilo (Pittsburgh, Pa.) to load the bases. Sophomore Skylar Murray (Georgetown, Del.) then reached on an error that allowed two runs to score. RBIs from junior Connor Breslin (Saylorsburg, Pa.) and sophomore Jordan Martin (Atlanta, Ga.) to close the gap to one.
Senior Chipper Smith (Florence, S.C.) came on in relief and firmly held the Spartans in check from then on. Over 4 1/3 innings, Smith would surrender just two hits to 17 batters and strike out one of them.
However, the Spartan pitchers also buckled down. Only one Hawk would reach base after the big inning in the fourth, as Stephen Butt fired seven innings to earn the win and Josh Vales recorded a two inning save. Hawks senior Jordan Bone (Pittston, Pa.), who started the game, was saddled with the loss.
With the two-of-three series win, the Hawks need just one win against Delaware State next weekend to guarantee themselves second place in the division. Conversely, Norfolk State's victory clinches a share of the MEAC Northern Division title, and need one victory over Coppin State next weekend to win the division outright.
UMES plays its final home game of the 2015 season this Wednesday at 3:00p.m. versus the UMBC Retrievers.
