BROOKVILLE, New York — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team continues to search for their first Northeast Conference victory after falling to Long Island University 3-9 on Friday, March 17. The loss moves the Hawks to 2-15 on the season and 0-4 in the NEC.

UMES was able to grab a lead in the top of the first thanks to a double by Dillon Oxyer who was driven in by Brantley Cutler in the next at bat. Cutler was eventually driven in by a single from Brian Cordell to make it a 2-0 game.

The Sharks didn't stay down for long, with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first to tie it up following a fielding error that put a runner on first.

A pitchers duel broke out from the second to fourth innings, with Hawks starter Nick Gatton and the Sharks' lead man Alec Huertas held the opposing sides scoreless – Gatton would allow just two hits over the span.

Things broke down in the fifth inning for the Hawks, as LIU was able to grab five runs on just three hits. Porter Braddy was tagged with a balk that drove a runner in and a home run in the inning, putting UMES in a 2-7 hole.

LIU was able to grab two more runs in the bottom of the sixth following a single and another home run, the Hawks were also stung by a balk in the innings.

The Hawks still showed some fight in the top of the eighth inning, with Oxyer and Cordell putting together a pair of singles, putting runners on. Bryan Widdowson, who came in to pinch hit during the sixth, smacked a single to left, giving the Hawks their third run of the game, which unfortunately would not be enough to get the win.

Raymond Smith, Jr. put together a great outing for the Hawks from the pen – needing just 21 pitches over the final two innings in his best showing yet. Gatton had a solid display as the starter with no earned runs against over four innings despite pitching both Saturday against Central Connecticut State University and on Wednesday against UMBC.

Oxyer, Cutler and Cordell each put together two-hit games; Oxyer scored two runs while Cordell, Cutler and Widdowson had one RBI a piece.

In the field Luke Myers was tagged for an error but turned in a defensive clinic, including a play where he turned two on what would have been a hit against versus any other shortstop in the NCAA. Alex McCoy also had a quality day, snagging two liners, including ones for a double play.

Cincinnati threw out his eighth would-be base stealer of the season, the Sinking Spring kid has thrown out 42% of runners this season while commanding the conference's second-best pitching staff.

It's another day for the Hawks tomorrow against LIU, with first pitch coming at 1:00 p.m., starters have not yet been confirmed for either side.