EAST GREENSBORO, North Carolina – It was a tight back and forth for much of the getaway game against North Carolina A&T on Sunday, February 19 in East Greensboro. Despite the Hawk bullpen going it's third game in a row without allowing an earned run, UMES dropped the game in the 10^th inning 5-4 to the Aggies on an unearned run.
 
"This game here we had the lead and made a couple of mistakes," head coach Brian Hollamon said. "They ended up tying the game (on those mistakes) and it ended up costing us in the end."
 
The Aggies took the early lead on a bases loaded single for one run against starter Evan Nibblett in the first inning of the game before the senior was able to sit down six of seven batters with ease in the second and third.
 
Things got cooking for the Hawks in the top of the fourth with a leadoff walk, followed by a stolen base, by Alex McCoy before he advanced to third on an error. Up to bat with runners on, Luke Myers slapped a single to drive McCoy in to tie the game.
 
It didn't take long for the Aggies to respond with a leadoff triple and a single to put NC A&T up by one. Nibblett responded with two quick outs to quell any sort of rally.
 
Bats were quiet in the fifth inning, both squads sitting down 1-2-3 until an action packed sixth inning.
 
In the top of the sixth, the Hawks took advantage of an error by the Aggies first baseman to put runners first and second, who then advanced to second on third on a Kyle Cincinnati groundout. Runners on again for Myers, he reached on the second error by the Aggies to score Gabe Williams and Brantley Cutler to put the Hawks up by one.
 
"Luke today was really good with regards to getting down the line and hustling," Hollamon said. "He helped us get back in the game by hustling to beat the ball out."
 
Unfortunately for the Hawks, a hit by pitch and a throwing error put runners on the corners for NC A&T, who grab a run on a delayed run to home and a double to once against give them a one run advantage.
 
The Hawks were able to even it up again in the eighth on a two out single by Cincinnati when McCoy and Jason Brown reached to put runners on first and second. Porter Braddy and Blake Rebstock combined for a scoreless eighth and ninth to force the extra innings.
 
"Cincinnati had a big hit today to tie the game," Hollamon said.
 
Nothing went for the Hawks in the top of the tenth and then an error on the infield would end up being the dagger in the bottom of the frame. With a runner on first following a fielder's choice, the Aggies were able to knock a double to give them the 5-4 lead and the ball game.
 
Weekend Thoughts
 
The Hawks saw an impressive effort from the bullpen over the weekend, with no earned runs being attributed to the nine men that headed out in relief. Hollamon was really impressed by the new young arms on campus.
 
"The young guys came in and a lot of times just threw one inning," Hollamon said. "They threw well, and most were able to get a scoreless inning."
 
While the Hawks were able to put up 14 runs over the weekend, Hollamon is looking for his batters to have timely hits – stranding several this weekend with men on base. Hollamon feels once the hits start coming, there's no holding back the Hawks.
 
"I just think that at some point we gotta just win ball games," Hollamon said. "Keep playing with everybody, we just gotta get over the hump – it's that time."
 
The Hawks return to action this Wednesday, February 22 when they head to George Washington for a midweek starting at 2:30 PM before getting home action this coming weekend in a three-game set against Quinnipiac.
 
Follow the action on Twitter via @ESHawksBase.