Box Score | Photo Gallery

LEXINGTON, Virginia - In a game similar to Friday's series opener, Maryland Eastern Shore gave up a trio of crooked innings early to the home Virginia Military Institute (VMI), who earned a sweep of the Hawks going away by the final of 14-1 in seven innings at Gray-Minor Stadium.

The loss is the fifth straight for the Hawks, and the team now stands at 4-11 this season.

Junior Dallas Culotta (Princess Anne, Maryland) provided the biggest spark on offense, smashing his second home run of the season in the sixth inning. Two other Hawks-sophomore Jessey Valdez (Dorchester, Massachusetts) and freshman Joseph NiCastro (New Market, Maryland)-registered hits against a tough VMI starter in Josh Winder.

Winder went the full seven innings, only conceding Culotta's homer while striking out five.

VMI led 8-0 by the second inning, fueled by back-to-back-to-back jacks and timely two out RBI hits. 10 of the Keydets' 14 runs scored when there were two outs on the scoreboard.

Freshman Tyrell Ricks (Herndon, Virginia) held VMI off the scoreboard in the fourth, and senior Will Turley (Greensboro, Maryland) posted no earned runs in an inning of work.

"We ran into a great pitcher today, and VMI's bats stayed hot." Head coach John O'Neil. "Despite the scores, our team got better, and more prepared for MEAC play next weekend by playing a team like VMI."

Next up for the Hawks will be a date with the Duke Blue Devils on Tuesday evening. Game time is set for 6:00p.m. at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.