PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – The Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team looks to bounce back after struggling against Georgetown university this past week, heading up to Delaware State university for a pair of double headers starting on Saturday (April 9).
The Hawks (7-20, 6-6 MEAC) split the first series at home in Salisbury, although the wins were blowouts, and the losses were by just a run a piece.
Decoding Delaware State
Entering the series, the Hornets sit at 9-13 and equal the Shore in conference at 6-6, with quality wins against Lehigh University and Delaware. Since splitting the series with the Hawks, Delaware State has lost 5-15 to Villanova but took their series against Norfolk State 3-1.
At the plate, Delaware State is anchored by the left side of the infield, with Trey Paige and Alan Alonso being the main sluggers.
Paige enters the weekend as one of the MEAC's top hitters with a slash line of .347/.490/.587 and leads the team with four home runs. The sophomore is able to get the ball up and has yet to hit into a double play through 22 games.
While Alonso has a slightly lower batting average at .304, he leads the team in doubles and triples with seven and two. The third baseman has been no slouch on the basepaths either, going six for eight in his steal attempts.
Behind the duo, Krew Boudlin has turned in a good season in his appearances, slapping a .271/.442/.486 line with three homers and six doubles. His speed has gotten to him despite the high on-base, only scoring nine runs despite 34 total bases.
On the mound, the Hawks expect to see Zachary Dale, Jordan Haddaway and Evan Harris with the fourth starter typically a toss-up for the Hornets. Boudlin has picked up two starts for Delaware State but most likely won't be used due to starting on Wednesday (April 6) in an extra innings loss to Penn.
In the pen, Peter Carreca and Ethan Edelson have been go-to pitchers, both with at least 18 innings pitched and a WHIP hovering at 1.50 – Edelson has been victim of the longball, giving up five in his nine appearances.
Humble Hawks
The Shore was brought down to earth on Tuesday (April 5) when Georgetown found air nine times in a midweek matchup, seeing the Hoyas tie a program record in home runs in a game. Seven Hawks took the mound in the game, all giving up a run aside from
John Killmon who exited just three batters in with an injury.
Ryan Howe and
Brantley Cutler continue to be the constants for the Hawks at the plate, while
Brian Cordell is working his way back after early season struggles. Howe leads the team in average with a .341 and ties Cutler with two home runs so far – the pair are racing for RBI lead as Howe has 19 and Cutler has 17.
Making the starts this weekend will be NCAA Division One complete games leader
Noah Covington, Derrick Rabb Jr., and
Cameron Bratton with the game four starter still a game time decision. Covington was nothing but smooth in his last start against Coppin State, not allowing a ball out of the infield until the sixth inning when the Eagles found life, then finishing the game with two strikeouts.
Riley Horner and
Ryan Davis have become anchors of the pen, with Killmon on the mend after a tweak against Georgetown. Davis was called upon against Coppin when Rabb was unable to escape the second, throwing 100 pitches in the game while allowing just two earned.
Follow the action on Twitter via @eshawksbase.
