PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – It was a big day for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball and softball programs, as ground was broken for new turf fields on Monday, April 24.
 
"We are excited to play games and hold practices on campus," UMES Director of Athletics Tara Owens said. "Our goal is to make this a remarkable athletic complex for our students and fans."
 
Both new playing surfaces are expected to be ready for the 2024 season and are just the beginning of improvements around Hawk athletics.
 
Currently, both the baseball and softball squads call the Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex in Salisbury home.
 
Baseball is competing in their first season with the Northeast Conference after being a founding member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and is in position to make the conference tournament. Softball, which has been competing since 1992 for the Hawks, is also in a spot to make the MEAC Tournament.
 
"We thank President Anderson, our university leadership team and the financial support from our donors in order to move forward with this project," Owens said. "I'm excited for our student-athletes as we continue to focus on providing them with a quality collegiate experience while representing UMES."
 
Baseball returns to action at Navy on Wednesday (April 26) and softball will play in a doubleheader at Hampton that same afternoon.
 
Follow the action on Twitter via @ESHawksBase and @ESHawksSB.