GLEN BURNIE, Maryland – A five-run eighth inning wasn't enough to secure a win for the Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team against Coppin State University, dropping the first meeting of a four-game set 10-8 at the Bachman Sports Complex in Glen Burnie.
 
"We just didn't get the timely hits," head coach Brian Hollamon said. "There were a couple times where I thought we were going to break the game open, and the ball found the glove instead of finding air."
 
Cameron Bratton took the start for the Hawks (14-28, 13-12 MEAC) and had an uneven first inning, walking two runners but also striking out three Eagles (19-24, 15-10 MEAC) in the frame.
 
The Hawks would score in the top of the second when they loaded the bases thanks to a pair of singles and a Bryan Widdowson hit-by-pitch. Andrew Revels worked a full count to walk in a runner, putting the Shore up 1-0.
 
Coppin struck back in the bottom of the inning when Matt Day hit a single through the left side to score Josh Hankins from second to even the game. Kyle Cincinnati would throw Day out during the next batter, putting the Eagle threat to bed.
 
In the bottom of the fourth Coppin was able to expand their lead when a single and a double put runners in scoring position, then one was driven in by Brian Nicolas with a single to left on the first pitch of his at-bat. Day then hit a triple to right center to drive in Day, then he was knocked in by Wellington Balsley on a single, making it 4-1.
 
The Eagles tacked on three more in the bottom of the sixth with a Day sacrifice fly to score one and then a Tyler Lloyd double for another two runs.
 
"I really thought Cam was throwing the ball well," Hollamon said. "When you play at a ballpark like Bachman, I expect them to be high scoring games."
 
Heading into the seventh the Hawks began a short rally to chip away on the Coppin lead, loading the bases on Brian Cordell and Nick Roets singling, with Revels reaching in between their at-bats on a throwing error. Ryan Howe continued his season long tear with a single to score Cordell, then Brantley Cutler walked on a full count for the second Hawk run of the inning.
 
That wasn't enough for the Shore, heading into the eighth inning looking for more runs to bring themselves back into the game. Kyle Cincinnati led off the inning with his second double of the afternoon and advanced to third on a wild pitch, followed by a Widdowson walk to put runners on the corners for Cordell who cleared the bases with a triple down the right field line to get the Hawks within two.
 
Revels walked in the next at-bat, chasing the first Coppin reliever, then he stole to put runners on second and third for the Hawks. Dillon Oxyer hit a fly ball to left, sacrificing himself to drive in Cordell for another Hawk run.
 
Looking for the lead, Howe came to the plate and smacked his fourth home run on a 1-2 pitch over the left field wall to put the Hawks up 8-7 by the middle of the eighth.
 
"They (Cincinnati and Howe) hit the ball well," Hollamon said. "I have confidence in both of those guys all the way around."
 
It wasn't long that the Hawks held the lead though, with Coppin striking back quickly in the bottom of the eighth inning. Mike Dorcean made his way to second with a two-strike single and a groundout advancing him, then was driven in when Balsley hit a triple, tying the game up. A single by Lloyd scored Balsley and Jordan Hamberg hit a long double to right center, making it a 10-8 ballgame – a score that would stand with the Hawks going down in order during the ninth.
 
The Hawks look to rebound tomorrow (April 30) with a doubleheader against Coppin starting at noon, nation complete games leader Noah Covington is scheduled to take the bump in game one.
 
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