PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – Coming off a series win at Wagner College, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team heads into midweek matchup at UMBC under the lights on Tuesday, April 17.
The Hawks took the first meeting between the sides on March 15 in Salisbury, taking down the Retrievers 8-7 despite a late push from visitors.
Honing on the Hawks
A big series win at the Seahawks has the Hawks on a bit of a roll, taking five of the last seven games played, starting with a sweep of Coppin on Easter Weekend.
While the Hawks dropped game one of the series to Wagner, all phases of the game were clicking over the weekend – grabbing strong starts, turning great defense, and making quality contact at the plate.
Noah Covington and
Evan Nibblett combined for 15 innings of three-run ball to propel the pitching staff in their starts,
Kyle Speas spun six himself with just two earned against.
Nick Gatton,
Brandon Gomez and
Blake Rebstock each had scoreless appearances out of the pen.
In the field the Hawks turned a staggering eight double plays with the connection of
Dillon Oxyer-
Luke Myers-
Alex McCoy to quell the Seahawk offense.
Brian Cordell and
Derrick Mayes II both contributed highlight reel plays in the outfield.
The Hawks are currently ranked second in the nation with 39 double plays turned at 1.15 a game.
Five Hawks batted .286 or better during the series, led by
Brantley Cutler slashing .455/.538/.818 with a home run and four RBIs.
Alex McCoy was also hot at .417/.500/.667 and a home run, Cordell also added a jack.
Kyle Cincinnati and Myers also had solid showings, both reaching base at an over .500 clip and adding two RBIs a piece.
Cutler continues to lead the way at the plate at .341/.388/.553 and a team high 42 hits and six home runs – he is just one hit away from tying his career high.
During the first meeting with UMBC the Hawks hit two home runs, one from McCoy and another by Mayes, in the win. The Hawks used a season high ten pitchers in the meeting with Gomez taking the win and
Caden Parker notching a save.
A starter has yet to be named for the Hawks, with
Joe Kelly,
Noland Genies and
Porter Braddy have each picked up midweek starts so far this season.
Reading the Retrievers
UMBC enters the game sitting at 15-17 and 6-6 in the America East Conference, going 1-2 this past weekend against conference foe Bryant University and sit squarely in the middle of the AEC.
The Retrievers continue to be big hitters, with seven regulars batting over .275 and all nine regular starters have an on-base percentage of .314 or better. As a team they are .289/.389/.439 with 66 doubles and 30 home runs.
Leewood Molessa has been a monster for the Retrievers, holding an OPS of 1.066 and leads the squad with 45 hits, 45 RBIs and 12 home runs. In his first meeting with the Hawks, Molessa went one-for-five with a two run double.
Also at the top of the roster is Tony Krueger, Justin Taylor and Ian Diaz. Diaz is a walk machine with 26 so far this season, Krueger leads the team in both average and on-base, and Taylor has been a set-up man in the two-hole.
Don't expect to see the Retrievers weekend regulars Luke Johnson, Jayden Shertel or Nick Remy – instead likely the Hawks will see Eddie Sargent who has picked up five midweek starts so far. Against the Hawks, Sargent went 4.2 innings with four earned against on five hits, two walks and a strikeout.
Ben Craig, Connor Kelly and Sam Daniels are the top relievers for the Retrievers, each having at least ten appearances. Craig and Kelly hold ERAs just under five and Daniels' hovers over a six.
How to Follow
First pitch from Alumni Field in Baltimore comes at 6:00 p.m., with the game streamed live through the AmericaEast.TV and Live Stats available by UMBC. Links to both are available on the University of Maryland Eastern Shore athletics website.
Follow the action on Twitter via @ESHawksBase.
