BALTIMORE — After an extra-inning heartbreaker on Friday, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore bounced back in game one of Saturday's doubleheader, using timely hitting and clutch relief pitching to edge Coppin State, 3-2, for its first conference win of the season. The Hawks battled back from an early deficit, stringing together key at-bats late before shutting the door in the seventh.

The series finale, however, belonged to the Eagles. Coppin State struck early and never let up, scoring in every inning to take an 8-0 run-rule victory in five frames, securing the doubleheader split.

The Score
Coppin State (1-11, MEAC 1-1) - 2
Maryland Eastern Shore (1-16, MEAC 1-1) - 3

Coppin State (2-11, MEAC 2-1) - 8
Maryland Eastern Shore (2-17, MEAC 1-2) - 0

How it Happened 
After a tough extra-inning loss on Friday, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore responded with a gritty 3-2 victory over Coppin State in game one of Saturday's doubleheader. Timely hitting and strong relief pitching helped the Hawks erase an early deficit and secure their first conference win of the season.

Trailing 2-0 in the fourth, UMES broke through to cut the deficit in half. Freshman Clarke Calvin led off with a single to right, and junior Paige Perkins followed with a base hit to left, putting two runners aboard. Freshman Tyla Dickerson, continuing her strong series, delivered an RBI single up the middle, plating Calvin to make it a 2-1 game.

Coppin State, which had scored its only runs in the third, was held in check for the remainder of the contest.

The Hawks took control in the bottom of the sixth with a decisive two-run push. Perkins sparked the rally with a double down the left-field line, putting the tying run in scoring position. Junior Ella Falcetti came through in the clutch, sending a double into the left-center gap to bring Perkins home and level the score. Dickerson then grounded out to advance Falcetti to third, setting the stage for freshman Lola Meyer. With two outs, Meyer stepped in as a pinch hitter and saw a wild pitch sail past the catcher—giving Falcetti the green light to dash home for the go-ahead run.

Looking to close out the win, UMES made defensive adjustments in the seventh. Junior Jaycee Holt took over in center for sophomore Kamille Trammell, and freshman Makalah Clar replaced junior Takiah Landes in right. In the circle, junior Emily Gunther relieved freshman Kassidy Oneail, while sophomore Paris Richard moved to third for Perkins.

Gunther wasted no time making an impact, striking out the first batter swinging before inducing a groundout to short. Coppin State made one final push with a two-out triple, followed by a walk that put runners on the corners. But Gunther shut the door, fanning the final batter to seal the Hawks' hard-fought victory.

Game Two
Coppin State's offense proved relentless in the final game of Saturday's doubleheader, scoring in every inning to hand UMES an 8-0 loss in five frames.

The Hawks threatened early, with Makalah Clark leading off with a single before swiping two bases, and Calvin adding a walk and stolen bag of her own. Despite the pressure, UMES left both runners stranded. Coppin State quickly responded, using three singles and a sacrifice fly to grab a 2-0 lead in the opening frame.

After a scoreless second, the Eagles extended their advantage with a leadoff double and a pair of wild pitches setting up a sacrifice fly for a 3-0 edge. UMES looked to answer in the third, advancing a runner to third on a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch, but a flyout ended the inning without a run.

Coppin State broke the game open in the third, capitalizing on a leadoff triple and back-to-back RBI hits to stretch the lead to 6-0. The Hawks threatened again in the fourth with two runners on, but a lineout double play cut the rally short.

The Eagles added the finishing touches in the bottom of the fourth, using a fielding error and consecutive sacrifice flies to make it 8-0. UMES was unable to mount a comeback, going down in order in the fifth as Coppin State secured the run-rule victory.

By the Numbers 

• Emily Gunther earned her first save of the season, shutting down Coppin State's walk-off attempt.
• Tyla Dickerson finished the series with four hits and four RBIs, driving in at least one run in each game.
• 13 different Hawks recorded at-bats in UMES' 3-2 win in the opener.
• Ella Falcetti extended her hitting streak to five games, finishing with three hits (one double) and three runs scored.
• Makalah Clark tied her season high with two stolen bases, matching her mark from Feb. 15 against Alabama A&M.
• Paige Perkins led the offense with five hits (two doubles, one home run), two RBIs, and a walk.

Next Up
The Hawks will travel to Greensboro, North Carolina, to face North Carolina A&T on Tuesday, March 18, and Wednesday, March 19, at 2 p.m.

Stay updated with UMES softball at UMESHawkSports.com and follow along on Twitter (@UMEShawksSB) and Instagram (@umeshawkssb).