SAVANNAH, Georgia — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team fell to the Savannah State University Tigers on Tuesday (March 19) in both games of their doubleheader.
The Hawks dropped a heartbreaker in game one. Eastern Shore carried a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning, but SSU scored two runs in the inning to win the contest.
Savannah State held a 2-0 lead in the third inning when Maryland Eastern Shore scored their first run during a two-out rally. Senior Daeshia Jones (Teaneck, NJ) singled through the left side and stole a base to get on second.
After freshman Anissa Derifield (Woodbridge, VA) drew a walk, senior Kiana Peterson (Willingboro, NJ) hit an infield single. With Peterson aboard, the Tigers' first baseman allowed Jones to come across home plate to make the score 2-1 following a fielding error.
In the fifth inning, Jones and Peterson would be in the middle of the action again to tie the ballgame. Peterson hit a groundball down the left field line that went under the outstretched arm of the Savannah State third baseman to score Jones and tie the game at two.
The Shore would take the lead in the top of the sixth. The inning started with a single from senior Breana Florez (Houston, TX). Sophomore Jordan Robinson (Gaithersburg, MD) came in to pinch run for Florez and freshman Rachel Gingrich (Landisburg, PA) laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Robinson to second base.
The next batter up was freshman Jordan Kelly (Bridgeton, NJ). She roped a double to the right field fence to bring Robinson in to score and give Eastern Shore a 3-2 lead. Senior Sara Jo Whaley (Laurel, DE) got a pinch hit single after that and fellow senior Heidi Smith (Odenton, MD) would come in to pinch run. Kelly and Smith would advance to second and third but get stranded there.
Savannah State rallied in the seventh inning down 3-2. After a single, sacrifice bunt, single and intentional walk, the Tigers had the bases loaded. The next batter grounded to Derifield at third base and she went home with the ball but the umpire called the runnner safe following a controversial call. The next batter drew a walk and the winning run would come in to give the Tigers a 4-3 win.
Jones, Peterson and Florez all went 2-4 in the game. Jones scored two runs and Peterson finished with an RBI. Whaley, Kelly and sophomore Stephanie Huff (Montoursville, PA) all had hits in the contest as well.
The second game was less dramatic. Savannah State scored two runs in the second and third innings en route to a 4-1 win in game two.
The Hawks scored their lone run in the fourth inning. Florez reached on an error. Rachel Gingrich singled to left field to bring up Kelly. Kelly doubled to left center to score Florez but Gingrich was thrown out at home when she tried to score and that ended the inning. Sophomore Allison Gingrich (Landisburg, PA) also had a hit in the game as well.
Maryland Eastern Shore will face South Carolina State on Thursday (March 21) in a doubleheader beginning in 2 p.m.
For more information on Eastern Shore Athletics visit http://www.easternshorehawks.com/.
