EASTON, Massachusetts - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team battled back from an early deficit at Stonehill College but were unable to turn in the win against the Skyhawks, falling 6-7 on Friday, May 12.
 
"We can't sleepwalk through seven innings and expect to beat anybody, that's what we did today," interim head coach Shawn Phillips said. "We acted like we didn't want to be there, played down and were just waiting for something to happen."
 
The Skyhawks struck first with a leadoff home run against starter Kyle Speas in the bottom of the first inning. Following a walk and a balk in the second, Stonehill was able to get a single and double up at 2-0.
 
A two-out rally for the Skyhawks would extend their lead in the sixth, grabbing the third run for the home squad on a single that scored a runner from second. An error at third would keep Stonehill scoring, as they would get three unearned runs against Speas and reliever Porter Braddy.
 
"He pitched well," Phillips said of Speas. "In the sixth he got hit a couple times and there was that big error that really decided the game. This time of year, plays like that can't happen."
 
Stonehill would grab an additional run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Refusing to go down without a fight, the Hawks battled for four runs in the top of the eighth, started by a leadoff single from Alex McCoy, followed by Brian Cordell and Kyle Cincinnati singling to put UMES on the board. Carter Rieben tacked on another for the Hawks with a sacrifice fly.
 
Working off the bench and coming in as a pinch hitter earlier in the game, Ryan Howe singled through the left side and made it a 4-7 ballgame with two RBIs on the hit.
 
The Hawks kept working in the top of the ninth, when Oxyer hit a single with two men on to drive in a runner and put pressure on the Skyhawks. Luke Myers would score on a wild pitch from third to plate the Hawks sixth runner but a bases loaded flyout ended the game with the Hawks falling by one run.
 
Derrick Mayes II and Oxyer led the team with three hits each, Howe had two RBIs and Cordell scored two runs. Speas pitched 5.2 innings with six runs against, just three earned, and struck out one batter.
 
Tomorrow is a new day for the Hawks, as taking this weekend series is vital in the search for a Northeast Conference Tournament bid. First pitch comes at 1:00 p.m. from Easton, with the game being aired live on NEC Front Row and Live Stats available through Stonehill – links for both are accessible through the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Athletic Department website.
 
Follow the action on Twitter via @ESHawksBase.