GREENSBORO, N.C. — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team struggled to contain North Carolina A&T's offense, falling 19-1 in five innings on Tuesday afternoon at the Aggie Softball Complex. 

The Aggies jumped ahead early with a six-run first inning and continued to apply pressure, using a 10-run third inning to put the game out of reach. UMES managed to break through with a run in the fourth, but the deficit proved too large to overcome.

The Score
North Carolina A&T (7-20, CAA 0-6) - 19
Maryland Eastern Shore (2-21, MEAC 1-2) - 1

How it Happened 
The Aggies jumped ahead early, scoring six runs in the first inning and never looking back. An RBI triple opened the scoring, and a two-run double extended the advantage. UMES struggled to recover as North Carolina A&T capitalized on defensive miscues and timely hits.

UMES put runners on base in the second and third innings but couldn't break through until the fourth. Junior Ella Falcetti led off with a double to right field and came around to score on a single to right center by junior Paige Perkins, putting the Hawks on the board.

The Aggies responded with a 10-run third inning, highlighted by a three-run homer. They tacked on three more in the fourth, sealing the run-rule victory.

Freshman Clarke Calvin led the Hawks with two hits, while Falcetti, Perkins, and senior McKenzie Abiley each added one. Sophomore Paris Richards, freshman Kassidy Oneail, and junior Emily Gunther shared pitching duties for UMES.

By the Numbers 

• Paris Richards made her seventh start of the season in the circle, while Kassidy Oneail and Emily Gunther appeared in their 21st and 11th games, respectively. Richards and Gunther each recorded a strikeout.
• Clarke Calvin notched her fourth multi-hit game of the season and extended her hitting streak to two games.
• Ella Falcetti tallied her 15th hit of the season, ranking second on the team behind Calvin (16).
• Falcetti recorded her 26th putout of the season during the series, tagging seven runners across the two-game stretch. The San Dimas, California, native continued to be a defensive presence for the Hawks.

Quote from Head Coach Aaron Robinson
Looking ahead against Morgan State and what needs to be done to get UMES softball on track
"It's really just about one thing—everyone playing hard, playing with pride, and staying within themselves. It's about each player doing their job, seizing every opportunity, and believing they can get it done. We've seen flashes of it from different players at different times, and now we just have to put it all together."

Next Up
UMES will look to return to the win column as the Hawks host conference opponent Morgan State at Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex for a three-game series beginning Saturday, March 22, with a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

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