GAME 1

SUMMARY

Although the Hawks scored six runs in the ninth inning, the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks comeback effort fell short against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in game one of the doubleheader in Daytona Beach, Florida.

THE SCORE

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks - 8

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats  - 10

(Wildcats lead series 2-0)

HOW IT HAPPENED

While the Hawks struggled to generate offense until the end, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats scored a steady dose of runs throughout the game. UMES' only runs of the first eight innings came on a Bronson Taylor sacrifice fly that drove in Joshua Caldwell and a Diego Aponte RBI single driving in Caldwell.

Trailing, 10-2, entering the top of the ninth inning, Maryland Eastern Shore displayed great effort and belief in their comeback attempt. The six-run inning started when Ansel Carson singled to center field to drive in Jonathan Gonzalez Perez. Despite not getting hits during the next two plate appearances, the Maroon and Grey recorded runs on an RBI walk by Diego Aponte and a sacrifice fly by Ryan Howe to cut the deficit to just five runs. Upping the ante, Ryan Davis smashed a three-run homer to left center field to get the Hawks within two runs late in the game. Ultimately, Bethune-Cookman closed the game to earn their second victory of the four game series. However, the comeback effort highlighted the culture of fighting to the 27th out that the Hawks have built under Danny Acosta.

THE NUMBERS

UMES recorded eight runs on nine hits and zero errors while Bethune-Cookman recorded 10 runs on 8 hits and one error.

Ryan Davis recorded his third home run of the season. The power-hitting third baseman now ranks first in the NEC in home runs. Davis also has 10 RBI on the season which ranks second in the NEC, only trailing his teammate Diego Aponte.

Joshua Caldwell recorded season highs in hits and runs scored, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a trio of runs scored.

Ansel Carson recorded a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate. The reigning NEC Prime Performer now has two multi-hit games this season.

Despite being tagged with the loss on his record, Hunter Allen recorded 5.1 innings of work on the mound. For the first time this season, the Hawks have recorded consecutive games where their starting pitcher recorded five or more innings.

GAME 2

SUMMARY

After falling into an early six-run hole, the Maryland-Eastern Shore comeback effort came up short for the second time today against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, losing the second game of the doubleheader, 8-7.

THE SCORE

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks - 7

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats  - 8

(Wildcats win series 3-0)

HOW IT HAPPENED

In what is becoming a troubling trend for the Hawks, the Wildcats raced out to an early six-run lead. On the contrary, in what has been a positive theme for UMES baseball this year, the Maroon and Grey responded to the deficit by scoring runs. Jonathan Gonzalez Perez smoked a double to right-center field to drive in Diego Aponte and put the Hawks on the board in the fourth inning. In the 6th, Maryland Eastern Shore slashed four runs in the inning thanks to an RBI single from Bronson Taylor and a three-run homer by Diego Aponte. Halfway through the sixth inning, the Hawks deficit went from six runs to just one run.

After Bethune-Cookman added a pair of insurance runs, the Maroon and Grey gave their former MEAC rivals all they could handle in the ninth. On the first pitch of his plate appearance, Bronson Taylor scorched a double to drive in two runs for the Hawks late in the ninth. Unfortunately for UMES, a great defensive play by the Bethune-Cookman catcher and third baseman put out the tying run for the Hawks just a few inches away from the third base bag. With the bases clear, the Wildcats closed off the game for a tight victory, 8-7, under the lights at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

THE NUMBERS

The Hawks finished with seven runs on eight hits and one error while the Wildcats recorded eight runs on nine hits and no errors.

The Hawks have fallen victim to starting slow. Maryland Eastern Shore has faced early (first 3 innings) deficits of three or more runs in nine of their 11 games this season. They also struggled with base running mistakes, getting caught twice today when trying to turn a double into a triple.

Diego Aponte has registered double-digit RBI in five of his last six games. The junior first baseman now has 14 RBI in his last 6 games. He also leads the NEC in RBI. He also recorded his first home run of the season in this game.

Bronson Taylor finished 2-for-5 at the plate with three RBI. The sophomore catcher is batting .394 on the season and has a 7 game hit streak.

Julian Jimenez recorded his NEC-leading eleventh walk of the season. 

The Hawk bullpen was excellent in this game, only giving up two runs across 6.2 innings. Jayden Dillard pitched a season-high four relief innings, striking out three batters while giving up just one run. Drew Nelson kept up Dillard's momentum with 2.2 innings of work out of the bullpen with two strikeouts and one run allowed.

UP NEXT

With this loss, the Hawks lose the series to the Wildcats. Maryland-Eastern shore will look to salvage the series in game four tomorrow. The games will stream live on Bethune-Cookman's YouTube channel starting at 1 PM.

FOLLOW ALONG

Keep up with the latest from UMES baseball on UMESHawkSports.com and by following along on X (@UMESHawkBase) and Instagram (@umeshawksbase).