GAME 1

SUMMARY

NORFOLK, VA. -- In a game featuring five lead changes, the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks defeated the Norfolk State Spartans behind a go-ahead RBI single by Ryan Howe.

THE SCORE

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks - 8

Norfolk State Spartans - 6

(Hawks lead 1-0)

HOW IT HAPPENED

On a hot, sunny day at Marty L. Miller Baseball Field, the visiting Hawks offense got off to a quick start in the top of the first inning. With a runner in scoring position at second, Ryan Howe slashed an RBI single through the left side to drive in Elijah Negron for the first run of the day for the Maroon and Grey. After the Spartans tied the game, 1-1, UMES tacked on another in the second inning. With two outs in the frame, Michael Blackiston scorched an RBI triple down the right field line to drive in Jonathan Gonzalez Perez, who went from first base all the way to home plate on the play, for the second lead change of the game.

Norfolk State captured momentum in the bottom of the second inning, plating three runs in the frame to take a two-run lead. After that strong inning on offense for the Spartans, Cade Williams settled in nicely on the mound in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, not yielding a single run in those frames. The improvement in pitching granted the Hawks opportunities to capitalize on offense. In the fifth inning, Christian Azcona and Josh Caldwell each drew bases loaded walks to tie up the game, 4-4. In the following frame, Ansel Carson blasted a solo home run over the right field wall, giving Maryland Eastern Shore their first lead since the second inning. Later on in the top of the sixth inning, Elijah Negron came home to score on a throwing error to further pad the Hawks lead, 6-4. 

Norfolk State went on to answer UMES two runs with a pair of runs in the 6th inning, tying up the game, 6-6. After each team through a scoreless seventh inning, the Hawks took the lead for good in the top of the eighth inning. After taking the first pitch, Howe bashed a slider up the middle to drive in Carson for a go-ahead run. In addition, UMES capitalized off of a scoring opportunity in the ninth inning when Jonathan Gonzalez Perez laced an RBI single up the middle to drive in Quentin Smith. While the Hawks were adding runs to the board, relief pitcher Tha'Mon McGriff faced just two batters over the minimum across three shutout innings of work to earn his first career pitching win. Maryland Eastern Shore earned a victory in game one, 8-6.

THE NUMBERS

The Hawks tallied eight runs on 14 hits and one error while the Spartans scored six runs on nine hits and one error.

Five Hawks (Ansel Carson, Elijah Negron, Diego Aponte, Ryan Howe, and Jonathan Gonzalez Perez) finished with two or more hits.

Tha'Mon McGriff finished with three scoreless innings pitched with just one hit allowed. McGriff earned his first win on the mound as a Hawk.

Cade Williams pitched a season-high six innings in his start on the mound.

WHAT WAS SAID

"It was huge to have the defense close the game in the 8th and 9th innings. It was a good team win and everyone did their part today" -Ryan Howe

GAME 2

SUMMARY

The Norfolk State Spartans plated five runs in the first and sixth innings en route to outlasting the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks, 13-7, to split the doubleheader.

THE SCORE

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks - 7

Norfolk State Spartans - 13

(Series tied 1-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED

In the second leg of the doubleheader, Norfolk State caught fire on offense, scoring seven runs in the first two innings to take a commanding lead. The Hawk offense gained a little momentum in the fourth inning, scoring on RBI singles from Josh Caldwell and Michael Blackiston and a two-RBI double by Ansel Carson to lower the deficit to just three runs. 

Although the Hawks would pick up runs by Quentin Smith on an RBI fielder's choice, Marco Davila on an RBI single, and Ansel Carson on a bases loaded walk, the Maroon and Grey were not able to contain Norfolk State's offense in this game. In addition, Maryland Eastern Shore committed three costly errors that each prolonged innings. The Spartans took game two in a slug fest 13-7.

THE NUMBERS

The Hawks scored seven runs on 10 hits and three errors while the Spartans plated 13 runs on 13 hits and no errors

Across the two games, the Hawks amassed 24 hits.

Robert Guerrero pitched a season-high 4.1 innings, striking out a season-high four batters.

Joshua Caldwell finished 3-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. Caldwell tied his career-high for hits in one game.

Ryan Howe recorded his fourth two-hit game in his last five starts.
 

UP NEXT

With the doubleheader split, the Hawks sit at 6-41 (5-24) on the season. Maryland Eastern Shore will look to earn their second series win of the season on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for Noon at Marty L. Miller Field.

FOLLOW ALONG

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