DOVER, Delaware — Hot bats helped the University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team handle business on Sunday afternoon, claiming an 11-7 win and a series victory over Delaware State to open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.
Sunday's win moves the Hawks to 6-11 on the young season and 2-1 to open conference play. The hosting Hornets fall to 5-12 and 1-2 in MEAC action.
The Hawks tallied 16 hits in the win, tied for the most in head coach Karla Ross's tenure. The Hawks reached the mark in a pair of games in April of 2022 as well.
UMES also stole six bases in the win, four of which came in the third inning. It's the second game of the year with six swiped bags for the Hawks, who already ranked in the top 40 nationally in stolen bases per game prior to Sunday's showdown.
"That was a great way to start conference play. The ladies came out on fire today," Ross said. "Playing in 26 degree weather, you never know how things will go. However, the ladies never showed a sign of it being cold!"
Much like the second game of the series, UMES opened the scoring in the first inning. Jaycee Holt drew a leadoff walk and moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt, before Kelsie Ekstrom doubled her in to put the Hawks in front 1-0.
The bats ignited for a big inning in the third. The rally again started with Holt, who singled and stole second to get things going.
Nola Mountain followed that up with a single of her own and swiped second base as well. With runners on second and third, Ekstrom reached on an error that brought Holt home and moved Mountain to third.
Like her two teammates before her, Ekstrom promptly nabbed second base to again put a pair of Hawks in scoring position. Ameenah Ballenger's base knock scored Mountain and moved Ekstrom up to third, and yes, Ballenger stole second soon after for the fourth UMES stolen base in the frame.
Katelyn Smitchko joined the fun, singling to right to score Ballenger and Ekstrom. She moved up to second on the throw home and advanced to third on a groundout before Kaylyn Sterling slapped a base hit to bring her home.
When the dust settled on the five-run, five-hit third inning, the Hawks held a 6-0 advantage.
The Hornets got one run back in the bottom of the third, but UMES tacked on three more in the fourth. Mountain dropped a bunt single and swiped second, and Ekstrom doubled to left center to bring her in.
One out later, Smitchko sliced the Hornet outfield with a triple to right center that allowed Ekstrom to trot home. Ryan Merriwether singled to score Smitchko from third and the Hawks eventually loaded the bases, but the Hornets escaped further trouble to keep the score at 9-1.
Delaware State tightened the margin with a four-run fourth inning, bringing the line to 9-5 still favoring the Hawks. The Hornets added their sixth run of the afternoon in the sixth inning, bringing the margin down to three.
UMES tacked on two more insurance runs in the seventh, with Ekstrom's two-bagger scoring Holt and Ballenger sending a single back up the middle to score her right after.
The Hawks finished with 11 runs on 16 hits and one miscue, while the Hornets collected seven runs on 10 hits with two errors.
Ekstrom led the Hawk bats, going 4-for-5 with three doubles, four RBI's and three runs scored. Smitchko wasn't far off, finishing with three hits including a triple, three runs batted in and two scored.
Holt, Mountain and Ballenger each earned two hits in the win. Holt also scored three runs and drew a walk, while Mountain scored twice and Ballenger drove two runs in.
Merriwether, Sterling and Paige Perkins each recorded hits as well. Merriwether and Sterling each also earned a walk and drove in a run.
"Kelsie had herself a game, going 4 for 5 with three doubles and throwing out a runner," Ross said. "Everyone played their part today and that's all you can ask for as a coach."
Ballenger (W, 4-5) earned her second win in as many games, working 3.1 innings and allowing five runs (four earned). Smitchko was strong in relief, working the final 3.2 frames and allowing just two runs while striking out three.
DSU's McKenzie Yurcaba was handed the loss after surrendering nine runs (eight earned) in 3.1 innings of work.
The Hawks will enjoy the win this evening before hosting the University of Pennsylvania for a midweek doubleheader on Wednesday, March 22. First pitch of game one is slated for 1:30 p.m. from the Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex.
