GREENSBORO, N.C. — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team faced off against North Carolina A&T on Tuesday, with the Aggies capitalizing on early momentum to secure a 10-1 victory.

The Hawks found themselves in a tough spot after a seven-run first inning by the Aggies, highlighted by a three-run home run. Despite an RBI sacrifice fly from Clarke Calvin in the third inning, UMES couldn't overcome the early deficit.

The Score
North Carolina A&T (6-20, CAA 0-6) - 10
Maryland Eastern Shore (2-20, MEAC 1-2) - 1

How it Happened 
North Carolina A&T wasted no time applying pressure in the bottom of the first. A triple to left center set the stage, and a UMES fielding miscue put another runner on. The Aggies then delivered the big blow—a three-run homer to left—to take an early 3-0 lead.

The scoring continued with a triple, followed by a walk to keep the inning alive. Back-to-back hits drove in three more runs, extending the advantage to 7-0 before the Hawks could escape the frame.

UMES showed some life in the top of the third. Junior Jaycee Holt reached second on a throwing error to start the inning, and after a well-placed sacrifice bunt by classmate DeNae Ojeda, she moved to third. Freshman Clarke Calvin then lifted a sacrifice fly to left, bringing Holt home for the Hawks' first run of the day.

However, North Carolina A&T quickly responded in the bottom half with a solo home run to push the lead to 8-1. A bases-loaded walk in the third extended the margin to 9-1, and a sacrifice fly later in the inning made it 10-1, sealing the final score.

By the Numbers 

• Three Hawks earned hits in the loss in Greensboro today, Clarke Calvin, Kai Hudson and Jaycee Holt. 
• Kai Hudson started her fourth game of the season and earned her fifth hit this season with  a single up the middle in top of the second inning.
• The Hawks recorded 12 putouts in today's contest against the Aggies with Ella Falcetti concluding the contest with four. 
• Paris Richards and Kassidy Oneail were featured in the circle today, with three and one innings pitched, respectively. 

Quotes from Head Coach Aaron Robinson
Assessment on today's game 
"We are at a very interesting point of trying to make sure we get after it each time we play the game—learning what we need to learn, utilizing it on the field. But at the end of it, playing our game and knowing that we gave everything we could to move on to the next opportunity. And I don't feel like we've been doing that as a collective. We're just going to keep working to figure it out."

Pitching performance from Paris Richards and Kassidy Oneail
"We're going to have to utilize two or three of them each game to throw the other team off, give them different looks—velocity, spin. They did their jobs. We've got to have the defense manufacture outs. That's one of our staples and what we've been talking about. We've got to manufacture outs. When the ball goes up, you've got to do everything you can to get the out. When the ball is put in play, you've got to do everything you can to get the out. And that's how we build our confidence defensively and offensively—to keep going, to get to seven, to get wins, and to continue to progress."

Freshman continuing to make plays
"The younger players are having huge roles, and they have to understand that all of these are lessons—opportunities for them to take and make the most of. But ultimately, the season is used for them to learn and be ready for next year when they're sophomores, and even more so in their junior and senior years when they're in full control from a leadership and accountability standpoint. They need to know, "Hey, this is how we play, this is how we're going to play," and how to integrate people into that as they come in from the recruiting aspect. And, you know, that's what I just keep pushing to them—play your game, be yourself, leave it all out there, and we'll get better."

Next Up
UMES will look to bounce back as they continue its two-game series on Wednesday, March 19 against North Carolina A&T. First pitch is set for 2 p.m..

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