GAME 1

The Short Story:  The University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team hit the road over spring break week. The Hawks started off with a doubleheader visit to Radford on Tuesday afternoon, dropping the opening game to the Highlanders, 9-1.

THE GAME FACTS
Score: Radford 9, UMES 1
Location: Radford, Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Hawks jumped out to the lead in the top of the first over Radford. With the first two batters reaching base, McKenzie Abiley reached on a Highlander fielding error that allowed Jaycee Holt to score from second, putting the Hawks ahead 1-0. 
• Radford answered in the bottom of the inning with a two-run home run and error-allowing run to put the home team ahead 3-0.
• Another home run and a wild pitch in the bottom of the third saw the Highlanders double their run total as the teams headed to the fourth.
• A scoreless fourth and top of fifth would see three Radford runs scored in the bottom of the fifth with one out to end the game on the run-rule.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Nola Mountain, Ryan Merriwether, and Katelyn Smitchko all had hits for UMES.
• Kylee Lehman pitched 4.1 innings with two strikeouts.

GAME 2

The Short Story:  The Highlanders completed the doubleheader sweep over the Hawks in game two with an identical 9-1 win.

THE GAME FACTS
Score: Radford 9, UMES 1
Location: Radford, Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Much of game two scoring was similar to game one. The Highlanders used a home run and a double in the bottom of the first to take a 3-0 lead over UMES.
• Radford maintained their lead over the Hawks until the fourth with Merriwether hit a double to right field that scored Abiley, who had hit her own double down the left field line earlier in the inning, cutting the lead to 3-1.
• Two more home runs by the Highlanders in the bottom of the fourth would once again double their score as they took a 6-1 heading into the fifth. 
• In the bottom of the frame Radford took advantage of a Hawk fielding error along with a double and single to take a 8-1 lead. After the Highlander base runner stole second and third, a sacrifice fly to center allowed her to cross the plate and end the game 9-1 in favor of Radford.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Abiley, Merriwether, Morea Hodge and Shanya Roberts each had a hit in game two. Abiley and Merriwether's hits were doubles.
• Ameenah Ballenger pitched 4.1 innings with three strikeouts.

UP NEXT

• The Hawks will take on #16 Virginia Tech tomorrow evening in Blacksburg in a single game. First pitch with the Hokies is scheduled for 5 p.m. on the ACC Network