PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – Standing its ground against non-conference play despite the losing record, the Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team begins Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Play on Friday (March 18) against visiting Norfolk State University.
 
Through the early season the Hawks sit at 1-11, with the Spartans at 3-10 before the four-game series.
 
It's been nearly three years since the conference opponents have played due to the Covid-19 layoff, with the Shore going 3-7 against the visitors in 2019 during the last conference play. In 2021 Norfolk went 25-28, winning the conference.
 
Hawks at Home
 
The Shore hasn't played a home game since hosting Georgetown University on Wednesday, March 2, when freshman Caden Parker was stellar in his first ever college start – going five with eight strikeouts. It looked like the Hawks were in for their first win of the season before a late inning run by the Hoyas, who took the game 9-7 in the first half of a home-and-home.
 
If the Hawks are able to take a game from the Spartans it will be the first homefield victory since taking out Albany in March 2020. Since starting play at Shorebirds Stadium in 2018, the Shore has a record of 12-44.
 
Norfolk Knocks
 
In 2021 the Norfolk State University Spartans were the MEAC Champions and represented the conference in the NCAA Greenville Regionals, losing both games they appeared in. In the current season, the Spartans have two wins over the New Jersey Institute of Technology and one win over common opponent Georgetown University. They most recently lost to another common opponent, Longwood University, 24-1 in Farmville, Virginia.
 
Through 13 games, the Spartans are slashing .229/.299/.336 and are led preseason All-MEAC outfielder Dionte Brown in OPS with an .834 on the season, who has four triples in 52 at-bats. Infielders Jacob Council, the regular first baseman, and Raphy Rodriguez lead the team in OBP with a .404 and .396 respectively. Rodriguez also leads the team with four steals at a 66% rate.
 
On the mound Norfolk has struggled to find a true ace, starting six different pitchers so far this season. The most successful pitcher has been sophomore Nolan Manzer, who has started one game, going six with no runs against and eight strike outs, and has two scoreless three-inning appearances early in the season. Steven Shaffer is the only other Spartan with an ERA under 5 with a 4.50, but has only pitched 2 innings over two games.
 
Shore Stats
 
The Hawks picked up their first win in over two years against Radford University on March 5, taking down the Highlanders 6-3 on the back of junior Noah Covington's complete game. The Seaford native was backed up by phenomenal defense in one of the best all-around games the Hawks have played this season. He will be expected to continue rolling this weekend, holding a 3.00 ERA, the best of the Shores regular starters.
 
Cameron Bratton and Evan Nibblett are the other regulars for the Hawks, both are still seeking their first wins of the year. Bratton has been victim of the longball, while Nibblett was solid in his first two games before being knocked around by Radford in his longest start of the season. Alec Greenblatt and Caden Parker both had their first starts of the season, Greenblatt falling on some tough luck – with just one earned run through 24 Abs – and Parker being a stud in his first start last game against Georgetown.
 
In the pen John Killmon has yet to give up a run through five innings pitched and holds a .40 WHIP, striking out six and allowing just a single hit and walk. The senior isn't known for his speed, hitting 80 most recently at George Washington, but easily has the best movement on the Hawks staff – striking out six in his short time on the mound.
 
At the plate Dillon Oxyer enters the game with a five-game hitting streak as the shortstop is slashing .318/.375/.409, he has four doubles entering the weekend and has steadily improved his defense. The other current hot bat is Derrick Mayes II, the transfer student from Southern University who has been a mainstay in left field and has been moved to the top of the order following Andrew Revels' injury. Mayes leads the team with seven RBIs and is a perfect 5-5 stealing.
 
Working to move opposing pitchers pitch count up, Riley Horner, Alex McCoy and Nick Roets have been taking as many free passes as possible this season. The three have combined for 22 walks in 70 at-bats, good for a .314 OBP between the group off of walks alone.
 
History Lesson
 
The Spartans hold an all-time record of 68-21 against the Hawks, with the Shore last winning 18-14 in 2019, taking a home series 2-1. Several Hawks were a part of that squad, including Oxyer and outfielders Brian Cordell and Brantley Cutler.
 
It has been slightly better for the Shore at home against Norfolk, going 15-33 at home, compared to 6-32 when taking trips down to Virginia. The squads will play 12 games this season, eight being in Salisbury and four being on the road.
 
Game one of the series will start at 3 p.m. on Friday (March 18), a double header is slated to start at noon on Saturday (March 19) and the series finale will be on Sunday (March 20) at noon as well.
 
Follow along with the action via Twitter @eshawksbase.