UMES v. Lafayette (Game 1)|UMES v. Lafayette (Game 2)
UMES v. UMBC (Game 1)|UMES v. UMBC (Game 2)

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - After nearly two weeks away from the diamond, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Softball Team returns for the annual UMBC Kickoff Tournament. The two-day event was originally scheduled to be held in Baltimore, but both clubs agreed to move the tourney to Hawks Field due to weather and field conditions.

The three-team tournament features UMES, UMBC, and Lafayette.

Fans will have the opportunity to follow all the action via Live Stats.

LAST TIMEOUT

On Feb. 12-14, Maryland Eastern Shore went 2-2 at the North Carolina A&T Aggie Invitational. The squad defeated Coppin State twice, but lost both games to the Aggies.

Senior Vanessa Gomez (Belleville, N.J.) registered six RBIs, four walks, four runs scored, and two stolen bases over the four-game span. Infielder Allison Anderson (Colorado Springs, Colo.) batted .308 with four RBIs in the opening weekend.

MATCHUP PREVIEW

UMBC (2-7) comes in with a two-game winning streak after knocking off Nichols State and Alabama State. Since 2004, the Retrievers have dominated the series as they have won 12-of-the-last-13 meetings. Coach Joe French's bunch was projected to finish fifth in the American East, but return three All-Conference selections from a year ago: Tori Alexander; Jessica Holte; and Kelly Lane. Other noteworthy Retriever to watch is Morgan Peyou, reigning conference rookie of the week.

Last weekend (Feb 19-21), the Leopards began their 2016 campaign and went 2-3 overall. Lafayette picked up victories over Rhode Island and Delaware State. With the graduation of just one senior, the Leopards return most of their starting lineup as third-year head coach Jexx Varner continues to push his program forward. Offensively, Lafayette produced the most hits in the conference a year ago (213). UMES and Lafayette have not met since 2005, which the Leopards won both contests that season.

Collectively, Maryland Eastern Shore opened the season with a .337 batting average and a 3.79 ERA. So far, seven Lady Hawks have registered multi-hit games. Anderson and Kaitlyn Hitch (Delmar, Del.) each recorded four hits, which leads the squad. Hitch also comes in with a brief three-game hitting streak. On the mound, sophomore pitcher Adrienne Guerra (Monrovia, Calif.) appeared in three games with two starts. This season, the California-native has a 2.80 ERA while holding opponents to a .222 batting average.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

On March 4-5, UMES travels back to the Tar Heel State where they will compete in the Camel Stampede Tournament. Maryland Eastern Shore will face the host team, Campbell, and Marshall in the two-day tournament.

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