SUMMARY

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks gave up an early three run lead to lose 9-4 to the Norfolk State Spartans on Sunday afternoon.
 
 

THE SCORE
 
Norfolk State University Spartans – 9
University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks – 4
Henry S. Parker Complex | Salisbury, Maryland
 
 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Hawks capitalized on some early pitching control issues and NSU miscues. The Hawks scored their first run on a throwing error in the first inning. UMES added two more runs on back-to-back walks with the bases loaded to take a 3-0 lead.
 
NSU scored its first run in the top of the third when Manny Jackson singled to score Jamal Ritter. The Spartans tied the game on a two run homer run by Cam Curry in the fifth inning. A single by Justin Journette drove in two more runs as the Spartans took a 5-3 lead after five innings of play.
 
Sparked by a Joe Wright, Jr. double to lead off the inning, UMES was in a position to put runs on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Wright, Jr. would come around to score to make the game a one-run margin but the Hawks left the bases loaded and trailed 5-4 at the end of six innings.
 
Journette homered in the next inning on a solo shot to put NSU up 6-4. NSU took control in the top of the ninth inning with another solo home run by Journette and a two run homer from Curry to go up 9-4.
 
UMES was unable to manufacture any offense in the bottom of the ninth in the five run loss.
 
 
 
BY THE NUMBERS
 
The Hawks managed six hits on the afternoon as Derrick Mayes II and Joe Wright Jr. each had two on Sunday.
 
Justin Journette was the standout played for NSU with a 3-for-4 performance including two home runs and four RBIs.
 
UMES pitcher Cade Williams pitched 4.1 innings while giving up five runs in the loss. Joe Lafave was the winning pitcher for Norfolk State with 5.1 innings thrown and three runs earned.
 
The Hawks stranded 13 base runners and were picked off twice while attempting to steal.
 
 

COMMENTS FROM COACH DANNY ACOSTA
 
"I thought we tried to do a little too much today at the plate. A good start to the game could have been a lot better with a few more runs in that situation. We had a few other opportunities to add to our run total but did not do it. We have to be better with runners in scoring position."
 
"I was pleased with the pitching. Cade (Williams) gave us a chance to compete today. I thought our starting pitching throughout this series was encouraging."
 
"We made a variety of mistakes in today's loss and are still learning what it takes to win. I know we can compete with teams in the NEC. We need to do a better job of executing in key moments of close games to come out on top."
 
 

UP NEXT
 
The Hawks host UMBC on Tuesday at 3 pm.