PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - As the spring season is upon us, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Softball Team heads down south for their annual spring break rodeo in preparation for Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play.

On Sunday (March 13), the Lady Hawks begin their road swing against Torrain Wright and the Savannah State (SSU) Tigers in a doubleheader. First-pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Two days later (March 15), UMES goes to Orangeburg, S.C. for a date with the South Carolina State Bulldogs (SCSU). The twinbill is set for 2 p.m.

On Thursday (March 17), Maryland Eastern Shore wraps up the rodeo in Durham, N.C. where the North Carolina Central (NC Central) Eagles await. The doubleheader action starts 4 p.m.

LAST TIMEOUT

Last weekend (March 4-5), the Lady Hawks went winless (0-4) at the Camel Stampede.

On day one, UMES dropped the opener versus Campbell, 8-0, then fell to The Herd, 11-0.

The next day, UMES dropped the first game against Marshall, 11-4, then fell in the nightcap versus Campbell, 12-4. Sophomore Tesharra Hill (Chatsworth, Calif.) delivered a two-run shot in the loss to The Herd.

MATCHUP PREVIEW

Savannah State (8-13) has won three-out-of-their-last five and riding a two-game winning streak. Entering today, the Tigers have the league's No. 1 offense in terms of batting average (.309). Wright, 2016 MEAC Preseason Player of the Year, leads the charge with a .448 batting average. Amanda Hallman, 2016 All-Conference Preseason First Team selection, provides the bat and arm as she ranks first in the MEAC in homers (4) and strikeouts (43). Other notable Tiger to watch is Alexis Singleton, 2016 All-Conference Preseason Second Team honoree.

South Carolina State (2-9) looks to get back in the win column after five consecutive losses, including a 9-5 defeat at Presbyterian. SCSU's lone victories came against Humber College. Cianna Burt leads the club with a .455 batting average, which is fourth in the conference. A year ago, both squads split the season series, 2-2, with each winning a contest on the opponent's home turf.

Before facing UMES, the Eagles meet Alabama A&M, Georgia Tech, and Presbyterian. As of today, NC Central enters winless on the season (0-18). The club has been unable to get into a rhythm as they are last in the league in batting average (.167). Casey Hargett and Dominique Wilson, both named to the All-Conference Preseason Team, look to guide the Eagles in the right direction before MEAC play.

For the Lady Hawks (4-8), they look to end a five-game skid and get ready for conference play next weekend. Senior outfielder Vanessa Gomez (Belleville, N.J.) leads the way with four multi-hit games. This season, the New Jersey native has started all 12 contests for the Maroon & Grey with a .333 batting average. In the circle, sophomore pitcher Adrienne Guerra (Monrovia, Calif.) leads the club in nearly every major pitching category, including innings pitched (36.2), strikeouts (30), and wins (2).

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

On March 19-20, Maryland Eastern Shore hosts route 13 rival Delaware State in its home opener. The three-game series starts with a doubleheader Saturday, March 19 at 1 p.m. The series concludes with a seven-inning contest Sunday, March 20 at noon.

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