UMES vs. Howard (3/30/25)
9
Winner Howard HOWARD 14-17
1
UMES UMES 2-26
Winner
Howard HOWARD
14-17
9
Final
1
UMES UMES
2-26
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
Howard HOWARD 1 1 1 2 1 3 9 18 0
UMES UMES 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 4

W: A. BALLENGER (4-5) L: Oneail, Kassidy (2-13)

Game Recap: Softball |

Hawks Fall to Howard in Series Sweep

The Hawks wrapped up their three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series against Howard on Sunday, looking to close the weekend on a high note. However, the Bison's steady offensive output and strong pitching performance proved to be the difference, as UMES fell 9-1 at home.

Despite flashes of momentum, the Hawks struggled to generate consistent offense, while Howard capitalized on early opportunities to build its lead. A late push in the sixth inning put UMES on the board, but the deficit was too much to overcome as the Bison secured the series finale in six innings.

The Score
Howard (14-17, MEAC 8-1) - 9
Maryland Eastern Shore (2-25, MEAC 1-7) - 1

How it Happened 
UMES wrapped up its three-game MEAC series against Howard on Sunday, but the Bison's consistent offensive attack proved too much to overcome in a 9-1 loss.

Howard struck first in the opening frame, capitalizing on a UMES miscue to plate an unearned run on a sacrifice fly. The Bison added another in the second, stringing together a pair of hits to push their lead to 2-0.

UMES looked to respond in the home half of the inning, but Howard's defense held firm. The Hawks put their first baserunner aboard in the first on a single from junior Jaycee Holt, who later stole second, but they were unable to break through against Howard's pitching.

The Bison continued to apply pressure, adding a run in the third before a two-run fourth widened the gap to 5-0. A throwing error allowed one to score, and a groundout plated another. Howard tacked on another in the fifth before breaking the game open in the sixth with a three-run frame.

Down to their final outs, UMES showed fight in the bottom of the sixth. Holt recorded her second hit of the day, and the Hawks loaded the bases with two outs. Junior Paige Perkins worked a bases-loaded walk to bring home the team's lone run, but a strikeout ended the rally.

Howard's pitching staff stymied the Hawks' offense, holding them to just four hits while striking out 10.

By the Numbers 
  • Jaycee Holt recorded her sixth multi-hit game of the season and swiped her 18th stolen base.
  • After entering the game in the fourth inning, Tyla Dickerson notched her fifth hit of the season, helping spark a late push for the Hawks in the bottom of the sixth.
  • Clarke Calvin's defensive prowess was on full display, tallying five assists and two putouts, including fielding four consecutive outs between the fourth and fifth innings.
  • Holt also made her presence felt defensively, cutting down a potential Howard run with a strike to home plate to end the top of the sixth. She now has 46 assists and five putouts on the season.
Quotes from Head Coach Aaron Robinson
Takeaways from this weekend's series against Howard
"We had opportunities, and there were certainly bright spots. We just have to get to the point where we are consistent on both sides of the ball. We're working toward that, and we're seeing different players step up in different situations. I've really been emphasizing seizing the moment, so when the time comes, we're ready to do whatever needs to be done. We need to have the mentality that whatever happens, we're going to be ready for it. We want the ball, we want the responsibility, and we're getting there.

This was the first series where we truly created an environment where the game was in our hands. We realized that, and now we understand we can control what we need to do to succeed. A lot of what happened this weekend was us giving them opportunities. If we eliminate the errors, they don't get those unearned runs. Yesterday's game could have been a 2-1 ballgame, and the game before that could have been 3-2 going into the seventh instead of being decided earlier. We just need to take our chances, believe in ourselves, and leave it all on the field.

I think we're in a great position. Other coaches have reached out saying we're competing at a high level. If we clean some things up, we won't have any issues moving forward. We still have more than half of our conference schedule left, including series against Norfolk State, North Carolina Central, and South Carolina State. We need to go after it and believe that we can get it done."

Defensive adjustments mid-game and lineup changes
"I have a duty to give players a chance to show resilience, but I also have a responsibility to the program. If someone is struggling to get out of their own head, we have to make a switch. The players understand that, and I think they are more prepared to step into roles when needed. At the same time, they are more accepting if they need to come out. We're getting to a point where no one is putting themselves above the program, which is a great spot to be in.

McKenzie Abiley playing shutdown at third, utilizing that experience and the fun she had and carrying it over on offense, continuing to go through that process. Paige Perkins had key at-bats and demonstrated leadership. Clarke Calvin is adjusting to playing a new position more frequently than playing second base. Getting Nola [Mountain] back in the lineup adds experience and consistency at the plate. Overall, we're seeing players step up when needed. We're going to continue working to build a consistent core group, but until then, we'll keep adjusting and putting out the best lineup possible."

Robinson on the sixth inning rally 
"Heading into the bottom of the sixth with the bases loaded, the message was simple: 'We're going to bend, but we're not going to break.' Amina [Ballenger], a former player here, knows this field and the MEAC inside and out—this is her fifth year in the conference. She knows how they pitch, and we have to recognize that and adjust. We need to take ownership of our field and fight for every opportunity. If they're going to work us on the outside corner, then we need to work them the same way. It's about shifting the mindset and being ready for the occasion."

On the upcoming road stretch 
"The biggest takeaway from this weekend is realizing that we are in control. From the moment we arrive at the field, we control our experience. That means players need to take charge of their roles, understand how their jobs overlap with their teammates, and embrace collective responsibility.

We've competed in the last four games, and if you were watching, they looked a lot different than what the final scores indicate. We're a young team still figuring things out, but we've shown that we can compete, shut teams down, and put runs on the board. Now, we just need to capitalize on those moments.

Looking ahead, Norfolk State plays on a very forgiving field, which gives us opportunities to put the ball in play and make things happen. Central is also in a transition phase with a new coach and a developing roster. If they're in the same place as we are, then we're even. It's up to us to assert ourselves and make sure we get the success we want and deserve."

Next Up
UMES softball will continue its stride in conference play with a road trip to face Norfolk State in a three-game series on Saturday, April 5, at 1 p.m.

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



 
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