Box Score  
SUMMARY
 

After surrendering runs in the first and second innings, the Hawks battled back in the late innings to tie up the game before a bases loaded double by the Aggies in the eighth inning proved to be the difference in Friday's 5-2 loss.
 

 
SCORE
 
University of Maryland Eastern Shore (0-1) – 2
North Carolina A&T (1-0) – 5
 

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

 
North Carolina A&T lead-off man JT Taylor drew a walk and ended up scoring two batters later as Canyon Brown picked up the RBI double to give the Aggies an early 1-0 lead after one inning. Chet Brown, who led off for the Aggies in the second inning, drew another walk and went around to score on a ground-out to put the Hawks in a 2-0 deficit after two innings.

 
The NC A&T lead-off man reached based again after being struck by an errand pitch to lead off the fourth inning. This time, the Hawks rebounded nicely with a double play along with a flyout to end the inning and keeping the deficit at two runs.

 
Devon Rodriguez led off the bottom of the fifth with a hit as another NC A&T player reached first base. Hawk center fielder Derrick Mayes II eventually threw Rodriguez out as he was trying to advance to third base. UMES eventually escaped the inning with runners on first and second as a ground out to second base ended the inning.

 
With Trent Simmons taking over the mound for starter Coley Kilpatrick, UMES was unable to generate any offense in the sixth as Simmons sat down the top of the Hawk order. UMES starter Joe Kelly stepped with his best inning of the afternoon by retiring all three Aggie batters to keep UMES within two heading into the top of the seventh.

 
With Ryan Davis on first after being hit by a Simmons pitch, a Ulysses Luciano single had the Hawks in business with runners at first and second with one out. A wild pitch combined with a walk had the bases loaded as Simmons exited and handed the ball to Jake Delisi with one out. Zach Garcia stepped with a single to left field to score Davis and Luciano as the Hawks tied up the score, 2-2.

 
Cade Williams stepped in to pitch for Kelly to start the seventh and held the Aggies scoreless with one runner left on first base. Williams faced a bases loaded situation with one out in the bottom of the eight after a walk, hit batter and single by the Aggies. TJ Ash broke the tie with a three-run double to left field to give his team the 5-2 advantage.

 
Down to their final three outs, Doyle McNew provided a spark with a lead off single and advanced to second base on a throwing error. Hopes of a Hawk comeback were dashed as back to back pop outs and a throw out at second base ended the inning.
 
 

 
THE NUMBERS

 
UMES second baseman Riley Horner opened the season going 2-for-2 from the plate and finished 2-for-4 on the afternoon.

 
After surrendering a run in the first two innings, UMES starting pitcher Joe Kelly settled down to throw four consecutive scoreless innings. His six innings pitched are the most he has thrown in a single game in his collegiate career.

 
Zach Garcia batted in the first two runs of the 2024 season for the Hawks with an RBI single in the top of the seventh inning.

 
UMES and NC A&T have now opened the baseball season facing each other in consecutive seasons. NC A&T took the series in three games last year.

 
NC A&T totaled eight hits to the Hawks' seven. NC A&T left seven runners on base compared to four by the Hawks. UMES did not commit any fielding errors in the game while NC A&T had one in the eighth inning.

 
UMES batters struck out nine times in the contest while drawing one walk. NC A&T reached first base on balls five times while striking out a total of three times.

 
The Hawks competed in their first game under new head coach Danny Acosta.
 
 


COMMENTS FROM COACH ACOSTA
 

"We learned that we can play good baseball against a quality team like NC A&T. I am pleased with how we competed defensively. We had a great opportunity to win tonight. With a few adjustments and better play in key moments, we will have better results moving forward."
 

"Riley (Horner) played well on offense and defense with two hits to start the game and a good plays at second base. I also thought Derrick Mayes made a great throw from centerfield to get the runner out at third was a big moment for us to stay in the game. Overall, our defense has been solid throughout the offseason and I thought it carried over into tonight's game."
 

"Our late game mentality will have to get better. We will learn how to get better and perform in key moments and I am looking forward to how we respond tomorrow."
 
 
 

UP NEXT
 
UMES will be back on the field on Saturday at NC A&T. Pitcher Justin Spencer is scheduled to start for the Hawks. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 pm.