CARY, N.C. — Maryland Eastern Shore chipped away at an early deficit in the opener and created multiple scoring chances in the finale, but couldn't break through in key moments as the Hawks dropped both ends of a doubleheader to North Carolina Central this weekend at Thomas Brooks Park. UMES fell 4–2 in game one before being shut out 4–0 for the final game of the series. 

The Score
North Carolina Central (9-28, MEAC 6-7) - 4
Maryland Eastern Shore (3-29, MEAC 2-11) - 2

Game Two
North Carolina Central (10-28, MEAC 7-7) - 4
Maryland Eastern Shore (3-30, MEAC 2-12) - 0

How it Happened 
Game one
Maryland Eastern Shore plated two runs in the third to cut into an early deficit, but couldn't overcome a three-run frame by North Carolina Central in a 4–2 loss Friday afternoon.

After falling behind 3–0 through two innings, the Hawks found their spark in the top of the third. Senior Nola Mountain legged out a single to the circle and came all the way around on Jaycee Holt's triple to the wall in left. Moments later, Holt dashed home on a wild pitch to make it a one-run game. Junior DeNae Ojeda followed with a single and later advanced into scoring position, but UMES was unable to push the tying run across.

UMES threatened again in the fifth with Ojeda's second hit of the day, and got a leadoff knock from junior Ella Falcetti in the sixth, but a double play halted the rally. UMES went down in order in the seventh.

Sophomore Paris Richards came on in relief and tossed a scoreless fifth before NCCU added an insurance run in the sixth. 

UMES finished with six hits — two from Ojeda and one apiece from Holt, Mountain, and Falcetti. 

Game two
Despite a solid start at the plate, UMES was held scoreless Saturday afternoon in a 4-0 loss to North Carolina Central at Thomas Brooks Park.

The Hawks stranded nine runners in the game and were unable to capitalize on several early opportunities, including loading the bases in the first inning. Holt led off the game with a single, but three consecutive outs left the bases full and UMES empty-handed.

Holt recorded her team-leading 25th hit of the season and also swiped her 18th bag in the seventh, but the Hawks' offense couldn't find the key hit when it counted. Freshman Araceli Manzo reached base twice with a hit and a walk, while freshman Clarke Calvin added a base knock and a free pass of her own.

NCCU broke through in the fifth with a sacrifice fly and added three more in the sixth, aided by a pair of UMES errors. Only one of the four runs scored against the Hawks' pitching staff was earned.

Richards went 5.1 innings in the circle and allowed three earned runs before freshman Kassidy Oneail came in for the final two outs.

By the Numbers 

• DeNae Ojeda recorded her first multi-hit game of the season with two hits in the first game of the Hawks' doubleheader at North Carolina Central.
• Jaycee Holt hit her third triple of the season in the third inning of Game 1. The total marks a career high for the Birchwood, Tennessee, native.
• Nola Mountain has recorded a hit in each of the Hawks' last three series, collecting six hits since March 29.
• Paris Richards threw a season-high 5 1/3 innings in Game 2 of the doubleheader, striking out three.
• Paige Perkins' walk in game two brought her team-leading total to 13.

Next Up
UMES will travel to College Park, Maryland, for a matchup with the University of Maryland on Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m.

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