The Short Story:  The Hawks took the rubber game of the MEAC series with Delaware State on Sunday with a 4-1 win. Prior to the game, UMES celebrated the careers of Kelsie Ekstrom, Ryan Merriwether, and Ameenah Ballenger as part of a Senior Day recogition. 

THE GAME FACTS
Score: UMES 4, DSU 1
Location: Salisbury, Md.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The scoring happened early before the defenses settled in on both sides of the field. The Hawks saw just four batters in the top of the first, holding the Hornets scoreless.
• With one out in the bottom of the inning, Nola Mountain earned a walk. Senior Kelsie Ekstrom was next up and reached on a fielding error by the shortstop that saw Mountain reach third safely. Senior Ammenah Ballenger followed up with a hard-hit, deep ball to centerfield that was able to roll under the fence for a ground rule double that scored Mountain and put runners on second and third. The third senior of the day Ryan Merriwether then hit a single to deep right center that allowed Ekstrom to score and Ballenger to reach third. DSU then made a pitching change and was able to get the final two outs with the Hawks leading 2-0.
• The second inning was much like the first. DSU was only able to send four batters to the plate before UMES scored two runs in the bottom of the frame. With one out, Jayce Holt hit a bunt single to the pitch and was able to steal second while Mountain was batting. After Mountain earned a walk, Ekstrom hit a double up the middle that scored both runners, giving the Hwks the 4-0 lead. 
• The lone Hornet run came in the top of the third after the lead-off batter singled and was able to come around on a sacrifice fly to left field, cutting the lead down to 4-1. 
• Neither team sent more than five batters up to the plate the rest of the game with both defenses settling in.
• In the top of the sixth, Nevaeh Terrell prevented what was close to going over the fence with an outstretched, over the shoulder catch before Morea Hodge sprinted and made a diving catch on the next batter as both saved extra base hits. Hodge made another diving catch in the top of the seventh to lead off the inning. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• All three seniors collected hits with Merriwether going 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI; Ekstrom went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored; Ballenger went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
• Ballenger also pitched a complete game with six strikeouts and just one walk to earn her sixth win of the season.
• The win marked the 10th of the season for the Hawks. 

COMING UP

• UMES will play its final non-conference games on Wednesday, May 1 when they travel to Mount St. Mary's for a midweek doubleheader.
• First pitche is scheduled for 2 p.m.