PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - In a frigid day in Greensboro, N.C., the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Softball Team came away splitting their season openers at the Aggie Invitational. UMES took game one by defeating Coppin State, 10-3, but dropped game two against the host team, North Carolina A&T State (NCAT), 3-1.

Maryland Eastern Shore (1-1) ended a 21-game skid against their in-state rival, which dates back to the 2009 season. Additionally, the squad picked up their first season opening victory since 2013.

UMES exploded for 10 runs on 11 hits versus the Eagles, led by sophomore Tesharra Hill (Chatsworth, Calif.) and freshman Sara Jo Whaley (Laurel, Del.). Both ladies each registered two hits and totaled five RBIs. Overall, nine different Hawks recorded a hit in the victory.

After a scoreless first inning, the Lady Hawks erupted in the second with six runs. Coppin State answered with a run, but UMES held a 6-1 advantage after two innings of play.

In the fourth, Hill delivered a RBI-single to leftfield and drove home freshman Kiana Peterson (Willingboro, N.J.) and gave UMES a six-run lead, 7-1.

Seventh inning, the Lady Hawks added to their advantage as senior Trenece Nash (Decatur, Ga.) and junior Allison Anderson (Colorado Springs, Colo.) each produced a RBI-single. Sophomore Samantha Casarez (Sylmar, Calif.) also scored on a wild pitch. Coppin State battled back with two runs late in the seventh, but Maryland Eastern Shore would prevail, 10-3.

Sophomore pitcher Adrienne Guerra (Monrovia, Calif.) grabbed her first win of the young season after tossing five innings with five Ks.

For Coppin State, Megan Narvaez and Alanna Williams each posted two hits while Hatika James drove in two runs in a losing effort.

In the second game, NCAT held the club to a pair of hits. Hill and senior Kaitlyn Hitch (Delmar, Del.) recorded the squad's lone hits while Guerra earned the Lady Hawks' only score on a sac fly.

The senior pitching combination of Hitch and Abria Tinsley (Sewell, N.J.) gave UMES a chance as they combined to allow only three runs on seven hits.

UMES struck first with Guerra's sac fly bringing home senior Vanessa Gomez (Belleville, N.J.), but the Aggies rallied with two runs and took the lead after one, 2-1.

Bottom third, the Aggies added an insurance run after a RBI-double from Alejandra Barcenas, 3-1. NCAT's pitching staff of Janika May and Zadaisha Young-Wadell were too much as they held on to win, 3-1.

For the Aggies, Barcenas registered two hits and a RBI while Kimberly Brunson and Kameron Graham also drove in a run in the win.

On Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), the Lady Hawks will have a date with both clubs again. Rematch versus Coppin State at 10:30 a.m., followed by NCAT at 2:30 p.m.

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