BALTIMORE, Maryland – An early home run from Brantley Cutler wasn't enough for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team, falling on the road to UMBC 5-11 on Tuesday, April 18.
 
The Hawks fall to 11-24 overall as they head into a non-conference weekend at Mount St. Mary's (MD).
 
The starters for both sides looked solid through two innings before offense broke out for each team and the bullpens went to work – ten pitching changes would be made between the squads before the stadium lights would be turned out.
 
UMES started things with a single and a fielder's choice that put runners on the corners as Brantley Cutler came to bat. The lefty outfielder would hit a no-doubt home run over the high UMBC right field wall, staking an early 3-0 lead.
 
It wouldn't be a long lead for the Hawks with UMBC striking back in the bottom of the third, cutting into the UMES lead with a two-run homer after a leadoff walk. Three singles and a wild pitch would tack on four more, having the Retrievers doubled up on the Hawks.
 
The Hawks loaded the bases in the fifth inning and were able to grab a run by Anders Brown during a double play, cutting the deficit to 4-6.
 
In the bottom of the sixth the Retrievers took advantage of a hit by pitch and a walk before a double stretched their lead by a run. A pair of sacrifice fly balls would then have UMBC leading the Hawks by five runs.
 
Brian Cordell got the Hawks on the board again in the seventh after Luke Myers extended his on-base streak to twelve games with a leadoff single and advancing to second on a wild pitch. Hitting a high fly ball to center, Cordell got away with a triple and an RBI, scoring Myers.
 
That would be the last of the offense for the Hawks, while UMBC grabbed another run in the seventh and eighth innings, putting it away for the ballgame.
 
With his home run, Cutler notched his seventh of the season, tying him for third in a season since 1992 and has matched his career high in hits at 43. Cordell had two hits, including his RBI triple.
 
Starter Joe Kelly threw two innings with no runs against, striking out one.
 
With the rare Tuesday midweek complete, the Hawks have three days to prep for a trip to Emmitsburg, Maryland to play a three-game series at Mount St. Mary's. It will be the conclusion of a five-game season set with the Mountaineers, with UMES dropping the first two meetings in Salisbury.
 
Follow the action on Twitter via @ESHawksBase.