Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2) | Photo Gallery

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - On a chilly day in Princess Anne, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Softball Team returned to Hawks Field where they split their conference opener versus route 13 rival Delaware State.

UMES (6-14) rallied from a 3-1 deficit and scored three times in the sixth to take game one, 4-3; thus, snapping an eight-game slide against the Lady Hornets. In the nightcap, Maryland Eastern Shore attempted another late comeback, but fell short, 7-4.

Despite only five scattered hits in game one, the Lady Hawks utilized their speed to produce runs. Freshman MacKenzie Brown (Bayonne, N.J.) led the way, going 2-of-3 with a RBI and stolen base. Allison Anderson (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Samantha Casarez (Sylmar, Calif.) and Sara Jo Whaley (Laurel, Del.) also swiped a base in the victory.

DSU got on the board first with an unearned RBI-single from Rochelle Sablay, 1-0. In the third, the Lady Hornets added two more runs and took a 3-0 advantage. In the bottom half, UMES capitalized on DSU's throwing error and trimmed the margin, 3-1.

After back-to-back scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth, Delaware State's freshman Alexis Goldsby came in for a six-out save opportunity; however, the Lady Hawks refused to go away without a fight.

With two away, Casarez drove in junior Ciara Schnyder (Arcadia, Calif.) and cut the deficit to one, 3-2. After Casarez stole second, Whaley hustled down the line and put runners on the corners. Next up, Brown used her speed to beat out the throw from short and allowed Casarez to the contest, 3-3. Senior Kaitlyn Hitch (Delmar, Del.) pinched hit and loaded the bases with a two-out walk. Shortly after, Goldsby tossed a wild pitch and Whaley scored to put UMES ahead, 4-3.

Delaware State had one last chance to tie or take the lead; however, sophomore Adrienne Guerra (Monrovia, Calif.) closed the door as the Lady Hawks held on to win, 4-3. On the day, Guerra tossed a complete game and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits while picking up her fourth win of the season.

In the nightcap, UMES generated four runs on nine hits. Hitch registered her third multi-hit performance of the year, going a perfect 3-of-3 with a double and run scored. Brown went 2-of-3 with a RBI and run scored in a losing effort.

After scoreless first inning, Brown drove in a run on a bunt-single and gave Maryland Eastern Shore the early lead, 1-0.

DSU responded in the third and crossed home three times, capped off by a two-run blast from Sandy Hawthorne.

Delaware State added two runs in the fourth and sixth to take a commanding 7-1 lead into the seventh. After the Lady Hornets went blank in the top half, UMES made another late rally as they tallied three runs in their final at-bat before falling, 7-4.

Due to inclement weather, both squads have moved Sunday's rubber match to Tuesday, March 22 at 4 p.m.

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