PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — One month ago, the North Carolina Central University Eagles outscored the University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team 24-2 over three games on March 15-16.

Wednesday afternoon (April 10) was different story as the Hawks won game one 6-5 before dropping game two 9-1 to capture a split with the Eagles.

"We talked about showing NC Central how much better we are now as a team than the last time we played," head coach Karla Powell said. "I think we did that and the girls can see we can beat anybody."

In game one, the Hawks got their bats working early. In the first inning, senior Breana Florez (Houston, TX) started the game with a double. Senior Daeshia Jones (Teaneck, NJ) drew a walk after that and a wild pitch got her and Florez in scoring position for Eastern Shore. The next batter was sophomore Stephanie Huff (Montoursville, PA) and she came to the plate and singled to score two runs and give the Hawks a 2-1 lead.

Later in the inning, the Hawks loaded the bases with one out. Junior Kamryn Lanier (Chester, VA) would then hit a sacrifice fly to the left center gap to score Huff. Junior Allison Gingrich (Landisburg, PA) hit a single up the middle next to score her younger sister freshman Rachel Gingrich (Landisburg, PA) and give the Hawks a 4-1 advantage after one inning.

In the third, Huff doubled down to center field to start the inning. Peterson drove her in to score with a double down the left field line to make the score 5-1. Two batters later, freshman Anissa Derifield (Woodbridge, VA) hit a RBI groundout to bring Peterson in to score and give Maryland Eastern Shore a 6-1 lead after three innings.

Junior LeAnn Gingrich (Landisburg, PA) started the game inside the circle and pitched 6.1 innings. She finished with three strikeouts and one walk. Sophomore Nasya Goodman (Willingboro, NJ) would come in and get the last two outs for the Hawks and record her first career save by holding off the Eagles rally.

NCCU controlled the second game throughout as they scored early and often by capitalizing on four errors from the Hawks.

The Shore scored their lone run in the fifth inning as Florez hit a sacrifice fly to score junior Kendal Turner (Edgewood, MD). Eastern Shore had four hits in the game from Rachel and Allison Gingrich, Goodman and freshman Janiah Luciano (Teaneck, NJ).

Maryland Eastern Shore will be back in action at home on April 16 against UMBC for another midweek doubleheader. The Retrievers took two games from the Hawks on March 28 in Baltimore.

For more information on Eastern Shore Athletics visit http://www.easternshorehawks.com/.