SALISBURY, Maryland – Despite phenomenal pitching performances out of starter Noah Covington and reliever Caden Parker, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team was unable to get the offense going with just two hits in a 2-3 12-inning loss to visiting Delaware State University on Thursday, May 18.
 
"These guys keep fighting, they keep battling," interim head coach Shawn Phillips said. "They didn't give up, they didn't quit and even though things didn't go our way they stayed in the game, gave us a shot to win."
 
Del State was able to grab two runs off Covington from solo home runs in the second inning and fifth inning, the only true blemishes on an eight-inning start in which he struck out eight batters. He finishes the regular season with 95 innings pitched over 14 starts, striking out 67 to just eight walks – putting him as one of the upper echelon tier control artists in Division 1 baseball for the 2023 season.
 
"Noah pitched well, two bad pitches to two good hitters," Phillips said. "He bounced back, didn't let it affect him and kept us in the game. He does what he does, our starting pitching is lights out most of the time, they keep us in the game."
 
The Hawks were able to grab a pair of runs thanks to mistakes from the Hornet starter in the bottom of the fifth as Alex McCoy led off by taking a pitch to the shoulder and was advanced to third on a clutch single by Marcus Brown. Kyle Cincinnati was able to knock a high fly ball just inside fair territory down the left field line for a sacrifice, cutting the Hornet lead in half.
 
Following a Luke Myers sacrifice bunt, Derrick Mayes II laid down a two-out bunt of his own, but the Hornet starter airmailed the throw to first, scoring Brown from second base to tie the game up.
 
Parker took over in the ninth and dominated with five strikeouts over four innings, only for a bit of hard luck in the top of the 12^th. Following a walk and a steal, a well hit ball to left center would go for a double and drive in the runner, putting the Hawks down by one.
 
"We needed this game and I went with him longer than I should but he's our guy at the end," Phillips said. "I told him we've got to win before we can worry about tomorrow."
 
Two walks for the Hawks had a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the frame, but it wouldn't be enough as a flyout would end the attempt.
 
"I'm at a loss for words, I see the hurt on the guys," Phillips said. "We've gotta figure out how to win one of these games."
 
With just two games remaining with Delaware State, the Hawks will look for a handful of more wins before the conclusion of the regular season. First pitch for Friday (May 19) comes at 3:00 p.m. and the regular season finale begins at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, with a celebration for the Hawk senior class coming at 12:30 p.m. before the game.
 
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