SALISBURY, Maryland – Power bats and hard luck welcomed the University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team as the Hawks (0-4) hosted the University at Albany for the first time in two years at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury on Friday (February 25). The Great Danes (1-3) took down the Shore 12-4 in the first game of a four-game set to be held over the weekend.
 
Hawks senior righty Cameron Bratton (0-2) took the loss, while Albany's starter Ray Weber notched his first win of the season.
 
"I hate to say this with being down eight runs but however we played a much better game," head coach Brian Hollamon said. "They just happened to hit the ball really well."
 
It was a tight contest early in the game, with Albany scoring two quick runs in the first but the Hawks were able to strike back in the bottom of the frame and in the second thanks to timely hitting.
 
In the first, Riley Horner was able to drive in Brian Cordell from third, who reached after walking and making his way into scoring position after two wild pitches. Following up in the second, the Shore was able to take advantage of another wild pitch to place Ryan Howe on second before Derrick Mayes II drove him in with a single to center.
 
"We played better, we played more comfortable and that's a big part of this – being comfortable," Hollamon said.
 
Unfortunately for the Hawks, the big bats at the top of Albany's lineup were able to take advantage of some missed spots leading to six runs scored against the Shore in the third and fourth innings.
 
After a weekend full of errors against Longwood, it was instead just timely hitting and big sticks that made the difference.
 
"We missed spots pitching wise that left the ball in the middle of the plate and they hammered it," Hollamon said, "but I'll take that kind of game."
 
In the sixth and seventh the Great Danes added three more, including a second home run by shortstop Brad Malm in the sixth, his fifth of the season in four games.
 
The Shore scored in the seventh thanks to a few mistakes by Albany's fielding and pitching staff, as well as a few solid plate appearances by a pair of young Hawks, Kyle Cincinnati and Ryan Davis, taking counts deep.
 
"I'm not uncomfortable with our young guys, Hollamon said. "I'm trying to get them some experience right now so when they get into the game and they start they'll feel at ease."
 
Saturday (February 26) is a new day for the team, as they'll play two against Albany, with the first game starting at noon and the second to follow shortly after – they will be 7-inning affairs. Noah Covington will take the bump in game one, with Evan Nibblett, coming off a MEAC award week, will start the second.
 
Making Themselves at Home
 
It was the first home game for the Shore since a 5-6 loss to Navy on March 11, 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Hawks continue to play at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium as Hawk Stadium on the Maryland Eastern Shore campus undergoes renovations.
 
"You always feel like you're still away until you get some home games under your belt," Hollamon said. "They love being here, even the people that come here love being here – it's just a good stadium."
 
The Hawks hold a 12-40 record at the field.
 
Saturday's Expected
 
Maryland Eastern Shore
 
Noah Covington (9.00 ERA, 3 IP, 2.67 WHIP)
Evan Nibblett (1.80 ERA, 5 IP, 1.40 WHIP)
 
University at Albany
 
Anthony Germinerio (3.00 ERA, 6 IP, 1.67 WHIP)
Cregg Scherrer (6.75 ERA, 2.2 IP, 3.00 WHIP)