Covington, Ga. — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore opened the second day of the Leonard Moody HBCU College Invitational with a hard-fought 13-8 loss to Alabama A&M. 
However, the Hawks quickly rebounded, securing their first win of the 2025 season in walk-off fashion. Ella Falcetti roped a double to bring home the winning run, lifting UMES to a 7-6 victory over Claflin.

The Score
Alabama A&M  (6-1, 0-0 SWAC) – 8
Maryland Eastern Shore (0-3, 0-0 MEAC) – 13

Claflin (4-4, 0-0 SWAC) – 6
Maryland Eastern Shore (1-3, 0-0 MEAC) – 7

How It Happened

UMES vs. Alabama A&M 
The Hawks started strong in their first game of the day, with Jaycee Holt leading off with a single to left field. She quickly stole second and third, putting herself in scoring position. After two outs, freshman Clarke Calvin drew a walk, placing runners on the corners.
Ella Falcetti stepped up in the five spot looking to drive in a run. Calvin stole second, and a passed ball allowed Holt to score, giving UMES a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

The Hawks chipped away in the fourth. Falcetti led off with a double and advanced on a groundout by Emily Gunther. With one out, she scored on a passed ball, cutting the deficit to 6-2. Paige Perkins kept the rally alive with a single to left, followed by a DeNae Ojeda single. McKenzie Abiley was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Holt.

Holt delivered with a single up the middle, scoring Perkins and Ojeda to bring UMES within two at 6-4. She then swiped her fourth stolen base of the game before Makalah Clark roped a triple to center, plating Holt and making it a one-run game. Clark later scored on a wild pitch to tie it at 6-6.

UMES briefly took the lead in the sixth. Meyer led off with a double and advanced to third on a flyout. Clark followed with an RBI single. Nola Mountain then laid down a bunt as Clark stole second, and a defensive miscue allowed Clark to score, cutting the deficit to 9-8.
However, Alabama A&M responded with four runs in the bottom of the sixth, securing the 13-8 victory.

UMES vs. Claflin
The Hawks bounced back in their second game, securing a dramatic walk-off win over Claflin.

With the game tied at six in the bottom of the seventh, Falcetti ripped a double through the 5.5 hole, bringing Mountain home to seal the 7-6 victory.

UMES started its offensive push in the second inning. Calvin led off with a double to right and scored on an error. Falcetti reached on a miscue by the Panthers' outfielder, setting up Perkins, who launched a two-run homer to left, tying the game at 3-3.
The Hawks kept the pressure on. Abiley was hit by a pitch, and Gunther worked a walk. Holt then laid down a bunt, and an error by the Panthers' first baseman allowed Abiley to score, giving UMES a 4-3 lead.

Abiley struck again in the fourth, launching a solo homer to left to put the Hawks up 5-4.

UMES kept the momentum going with back-to-back walks by Falcetti and Perkins. Gunther then ripped a triple to left, scoring Falcetti, but Perkins was thrown out at home, ending the inning in a 6-6 tie.
The Hawks' final push began with Mountain reaching on a shortstop error. Calvin advanced her with a groundout, setting up Falcetti with one out. Facing a 1-2 count, Falcetti delivered, driving a double into left to bring home the game-winning run.

By the Numbers

• Perkins and Abiley each recorded their first career home run against Claflin. It marked the first time two Hawks homered in the same game since March 22, 2018, against South Carolina State. 
• Holt stole a game-high four bases against Alabama A&M.
• Clark went 3-for-4 with two RBIs against Alabama A&M, leading the Hawks in hits.

Next Up

The Hawks will conclude the HBCU Invitational against Florida A&M on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. Follow the action on GameChanger.com