NORFOLK, Virginia — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore came out on the wrong side of a pitcher's duel in the first round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament, falling to North Carolina Central 2-1 on Wednesday, May 10.
The Hawks found hits throughout the game, producing eight across their seven innings of offense. They scored their lone run in the top of the first.
Nola Mountain got the rally started for UMES, reaching on a bunt single. She moved up to second on a passed ball before Kelsie Ekstrom sent a base hit to left field to put runners on the corners with one away.
Ameenah Ballenger followed Ekstrom with a single of her own, scoring Mountain from third base. Ballenger and Ekstrom each moved up a base to put two in scoring position, but the Eagles escaped further damage.
The Hawks got a runner in scoring position in each of the next two innings, but NCCU avoided conceding a run in either opportunity.
The Eagles plated two in the fourth, taking the 2-1 lead that would hold through the duration of the contest. UMES got a runner to third base in the fifth and again in the seventh, but the Eagles staved off each late rally.
The top of the order showed out for UMES, with the top four spots on the card producing six hits in the contest. Ekstrom and Ballenger each had a pair of hits with the latter driving in the lone Hawk run, while Holt and Mountain each hit safely as well.
McKenzie Abiley and Ah-Nayia Oglesby also picked up base knocks in the loss. Oglesby and Katelyn Smitchko each drew a walk, while Holt, Ekstrom and Oglesby each swiped a base.
NCCU's Jaden Davis (9-13) earned the win, scattering eight hits and one run across the complete seven innings.
Smitchko (6-15) was handed a tough loss after holding the Eagles to two runs and six hits with five strikeouts, tied for her second most in a game this season.
The Hawks will face Morgan State on Thursday after the Bears were handed a 2-1 loss by Coppin State on Wednesday afternoon. The Hawks took the regular season series from the Bears, picking up a pair of walk off victories back on Saturday, April 15.
First pitch against Morgan is scheduled for noon from the NSU Softball Complex. The winner will advance to Friday's action, facing an opponent yet to be determined.
