Box Score

HANOVER, Md. -- The Hawks offense exploded once again on Friday afternoon, jumping out to a six run lead and never looking back. Three UMES players would hit homeruns on their way to an 11-0, seven inning victory over Coppin State at Joe Cannon Stadium. The win improves the team's record to 8-2 in the MEAC Northern Division.

Sophomore Justin Dattilo (Pittsburgh, Pa.) wasted no time getting the Hawks on the board. After junior Mike Escanilla (Waldorf, Md.) doubled to lead off the game, Dattilo drove home both Escanilla and himself with a two-run short to left-center field. He would be followed by freshman Quenton Hamrick (New Castle, Del.), who also sent a two-run homer to left that scored fellow Delawarean and sophomore Skylar Murray (Georgetwon, Del.).

Within a blink of an eye, the Hawks had stormed out to a 4-0 lead. They would add two more in the second on RBIs from Dattilo and senior Greg Turlik (Gaithersburg, Md.).

A 6-0 cushion to work with was more than enough for senior starter Chipper Smith (Florence, S.C.). He would snuff out a small rally in the first inning before throwing an electrifying five total innings, conceding only one hit after the early rally. Smith picked up his third win this season and lowered his ERA of 4.80, which includes a 2.35 clip as a starter.

The Hawks would strike for another big inning in the fourth. After two singles and a hit batsmen, Hamrick drew a walk for one, then Dattilo scored as the Coppin State pitcher balked. Two batters later, junior Connor Breslin (Saylorsburg, Pa.) doubled to left scoring two more runs.

In the fifth, senior Joshua James (Milford, Del.) blasted a ball to left that sailed out for his first career long ball, scoring the final run of the contest. Scoreless innings from senior Jordan Bone (Pittston, Pa.) and freshman Chris Melrath (Rising Sun, Md.) finished off the Eagles, as three of the last six Coppin State went down via the strikeout.

Overall, Dattilo finished the day 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored, bumping his average to .309 this season. James also went 3-for-4, increasing his average to .292, while Escanilla and Turlik each collected two hits.

The series resumes tomorrow with a noon time doubleheader.