The Short Story:  The University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team concluded their 2024 season with a 7-4 loss to top-seeded Morgan State on Day 2 of the 2024 MEAC Softball Tournament. The Hawks finish the season with an 11-35 record

THE GAME FACTS
Score: MSU 7, UMES 4
Location: Norfolk, Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Morgan State got on the board first in the contest with a trio of runs in the bottom of the first, including a two-run home run, to give themselves a 3-0 lead early.
• The Hawks began to chip away in the top of the second. Ameenah Ballenger led off with a single to third base before stealing second. Morea Hodge's ground out to second allowed Ballenger to reach third. Logan Webster followed up with a single down the left field line scoring Ballenger, and cutting the lead down to 3-1.
• In the top of the third, UMES took the lead with a three-run inning of its own. Jaycee Holt singled to left to start things off before stealing second. A Bear throwing error allowed Nola Mountain to safely reach second all while scoring Holt. With one out, Ballenger stepped up to the plate and crushed a home run over the left center field fence, giving the Hawks the 4-3 lead over MSU.
• However, the lead did not last long as the Bears regained the advantage with two runs on two hits in the bottom of the third, retaking a 5-4 lead.
• Morgan State would add two more runs with a home run of their own in the bottom of the fifth while keeping the Hawks off the board the rest of game to advance in the MEAC Tournament with the 7-4 win over UMES.

BY THE NUMBERS

• First Team All-MEAC selection Ballenger led the Hawks at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
• Fellow First Team All-MEAC selection Nola Mountain, Second Team All-MEAC honoree Holt, Hodge, and Webster all contributed a hit in the contest.
• Ballenger also pitched a complete game for the Hawks with three strikeouts.
• The season marked the third-straight year that UMES earned a spot in the MEAC Tournament.

SEASON COMPLETE