CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team suffered a 9-1 defeat in five innings in its evening showdown with George Washington University on Saturday, February 25.
The Hawks (2-5) fell behind early in the contest, allowing five Colonial runs in the top of the first. In the bottom half, Ameenah Ballenger collected a two-out, full-count single to drive in Nola Mountain and cut into the margin.
George Washington scored in each of the first four innings, adding one in the second, two in the third and one in the fourth. UMES held the Colonials off the board in the fifth, but could not close the eight-run margin.
The Hawks finished with one run on five hits, leaving four runners on base. The Colonials used 11 hits to score their nine runs on the night and stranded five baserunners.
GWU's Rose Cano (5-2) earned the win, scattering one run and five hits across her five frames of work and striking out three.
Katelyn Smitchko (1-3) was handed the loss, allowing nine runs over 3.1 innings.
Ballenger pitched well in relief, earning the final five outs of the contest while surrendering just one hit.
Tomorrow, the team heads to Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia to conclude the tournament. The Hawks are slated to face St. John's at 1:30 p.m. before a 4:00 p.m. showdown with Longwood.
If necessary, any schedule changes will be announced online at www.easternshorehawks.com and on Twitter @ESHawksSB.
