SALISBURY, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team was unable to get the offensive juices flowing against visiting Central Connecticut State University, falling to the Blue Devils 7-2 on Saturday, March 11.
Starter Nick Gatton cruised through the first three innings of action, facing just nine batters and allowing just one hit that was nullified on an unassisted double play by first baseman Alex McCoy in the first inning.
Central was able to grab a run in the top of the fourth following a single and a balk to put a runner on second, then was driven in by another single. The Blue Devils then hit a double but were caught at home trying to stretch the play, getting the Hawks out of the runners on situation.
In the bottom of the inning the Hawks struck back quickly following a leadoff error that put Riley Horner on first base. Rearing back, right fielder Brantley Cutler hit his second home run of the season to put the Hawks up 2-1.
The Blue Devils regained the lead in the top of the fifth following a hit by pitch and a single to put men on, then a sacrifice bunt and a well hit single to right center gave the visitors the 3-2 advantage.
Keeping pace in the seventh, the Blue Devils were able to get on top of the Hawks bullpen to the tune of three runs in an inning that included two walks and a hit by pitch that stung UMES on the scoreboard.
Hurt by two free passes and a wild pitch in the ninth, the Hawks would give up one more run to stretch the lead to 7-2 for Central – a score UMES was unable to catch up to in the bottom of the frame, going three up, three down.
Cutler led the way for the Hawks with two hits, including his two-run homer, and on the bases, Derrick Mayes II picked up his third swipe of 2023. Gatton went five innings in the loss with three earned runs given up and two strikeouts to no walks.
UMES is back at it for game three tomorrow (March 12) at noon, concluding the series and the Hawks first taste of Northeast Conference ball. Follow the action on Twitter via @ESHawksBase.
