The Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks and Towson Tigers split their doubleheader at Meritus Ballpark in Hagerstown. After falling in game one, the Hawks bounced back to pick up their first victory of the season.

GAME 1:
 

SUMMARY

The Towson Tigers blanked the UMES Hawks to take game one of the series at Meritus Park.

THE SCORE

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks - 0

Towson Tigers - 10

(Towson leads series 1-0)

HOW IT HAPPENED

On a chilly afternoon in Hagerstown, some solid pitching from Towson kept UMES at bay throughout the game. The Tigers recorded five-run innings in both the second and seventh innings to earn the win in run rule fashion. 

THE NUMBERS

UMES finished the game with no runs on four hits and one error while Towson finished the game with 10 runs on nine hits and two errors.

Catcher Bronson Taylor recorded a hit on his return to his hometown of Hagerstown, Maryland.

Diego Aponte recorded a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-3.
 

GAME 2:
 

SUMMARY

The Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks completely flipped the script in the second leg of the doubleheader, defeating Towson by seven runs.

THE SCORE

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks - 14

Towson Tigers - 7

(Series tied 1-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Despite the comfortable margin of victory, Towson had all the momentum in the game early. The Tigers jumped out to a five-run lead while forcing UMES to utilize three arms in the opening inning. Although UMES dealt with the early adversity, the Hawks were not deterred.

Starting from the second inning, the Maroon and Grey went on to outscore their opposition, 14-2, throughout the rest of the contest including a stretch of 10 unanswered runs. The offensive efficiency began in the second inning with a solo home run to left field by Ryan Davis. Maryland Eastern Shore showcased a good sense of patience at the plate in the third and fourth innings, generating four runs by drawing walks in bases loaded situations. UMES complemented those free passes with timely hitting. During the third inning, Ryan Howe produced a sacrifice fly and Diego Aponte laced an RBI single to center field. In the fourth frame, Aponte delivered again with a two-RBI single to left field and Ryan Davis smoked an RBI single to the third base side.

Defensively, Hunter Allen was a steady force on the mound for UMES, earning his first win of the season. After entering the game in the first inning, he provided a 4.1 innings relief effort that gave the Hawks offense a chance to get back in the game. Once the Hawks took the lead, Head Coach Danny Acosta turned to Wilfredo Morales who provided the best outing of any Maryland Eastern Shore pitcher this season. The left-handed pitcher provided an impressive four inning save, striking out five Tigers while not giving up a single earned run.

An RBI double by Diego Aponte, a two-run home run by Ryan Howe, and an RBI double by Jason Brown allowed the Maroon and Grey offense to provide some extra insurance runs in the latter half of the game. The Hawks went on to ice the game on a nice play by Ansel Carson and Diego Aponte to complete a 6-3 ground out for the final out, giving the Hawks a comfortable victory, 14-7.

THE NUMBERS

UMES finished with 14 runs on 13 hits and one error while Towson finished with seven runs on six hits and one error.

The Hawks recorded season-highs in runs and hits. Their previous high was eight runs on 11 hits against VMI on February 16.

First baseman Diego Aponte had a breakout game, finishing 3-for-6 at the plate with four RBI

Reigning NEC Prime Performer selection Ryan Davis continued his strong start to the season, finishing 4-for-5 with a home run and two RBI.

Ryan Howe registered his first home run of the season and recorded his 99th career hit in his career as a Hawk.

Maryland Eastern Shore overcame a five run deficit in this game.

UMES struck out a season-high 11 batters.

The Hawks showed great patience at the plate, drawing 10 walks.

QUOTES FROM COACH DANNY ACOSTA:

"In the first game the offense did not respond as we were hoping for. We just didn't click, and that happens in baseball. In game two, we had a great conversation prior to game time that sparked the guys back up. I'd say that both the players on the field and the dugout was on and intense all game long."

"One of the reasons we recruited Diego is that he is known to be an offensive spark plug, and he carried it throughout the fall and showed us what he can do. It is great to have him producing as we are used to seeing."

"Ryan Davis is hot with the bat right now. He is a very talented player! I believe that there is a lot more in the tank for him."

"Ryan Howe was due to have a game like this. I hope that this gets him going and continues to help us offensively."

"It definitely feels good to have that pressure off of our shoulders, however, tomorrow is another day, and we have to go back to work as Towson is a formidable opponent and a very well coached team. So, we have to continue doing our job."

"Both Hunter Allen and Wilfredo Morales have been working hard and working on the effectiveness at practice, which set them up to have outings like this. Hunter gave us some great innings tonight as well as Morales."

UP NEXT

With the split in the doubleheader, the Hawks will take on Towson in game three to decide the series at 1 PM at Meritus Park. 

FOLLOW ALONG

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