PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore fell to the Norfolk State University Spartans 6-2 on Thursday (March 12) at Hawk Field.
Thursday's game served as the last game of the season for Maryland Eastern Shore after the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) suspended all spring sports due to the COVID-19 virus. Twins Allison Gingrich and LeAnn Gingrich (Landisburg, Pennsylvania) completed their career with the Hawks as well as junior Jordan Robinson (Gaithersburg, Maryland), who will graduate in December.
"It's horrible that the season had to end this way, but the game is much bigger than wins and losses and everyone's health is what's most important," Hawks coach Karla Powell said.
The Hawks and Spartans were locked in a pitcher's duel until the fourth inning. The game remained scoreless until the home half of the fourth when The Shore drew first blood.
Following a groundout, junior Nasya Goodman (Willingboro, New Jersey) was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Alona Robillard (Lake Wales, Florida) hit a single after that and senior Allison Gingrich drew a walk to load the bases. Freshman Tyanna Roberts (Woodbridge, Virginia) doubled to right center after the walk and gave the team a 2-0 advantage.
Norfolk State would come back in the fifth inning and score three runs to take a 3-2 lead. They held that lead until the seventh inning when they scored three more runs to go up 6-2 and create separation that Eastern Shore could not overcome.
Roberts went 2-3 in the game to lead the team at the plate. Goodman pitched six innings and allowed no earned runs and had five strikeouts.
After the game, Powell reflected on her second season with the Hawks and how the team has grown.
"This year we had a lot of ups and downs but the growth I saw out of everyone is what I live for as a coach," Powell said. "We had 11 players and I asked them to play out of position and they did everything they could to excel at each position, so watching these players now from where they started in the fall is unbelievable."
Maryland Eastern Shore concludes the season with a 3-18 record.
