SUMMARY

NORFOLK, VA. - The Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks recorded a season-high 20 hits in their decisive victory over the Norfolk State Spartans at Marty L. Miller Field.

THE SCORE

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks - 19

Norfolk State Spartans - 4

(Hawks Win Series 2-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED

On a sunny day in Norfolk, the Spartans, fueled by the Senior Day festivities, scored quickly in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead, 1-0. Despite the early momentum by Norfolk State, the visiting Hawks began a stretch of some of their best play all season in the top of the second inning. Jason Brown began the offensive barrage by driving in Jonathan Gonzalez Perez to tie the game. In the third inning, Julian Jimenez singled to center field to drive in Ansel Carson to give the Maroon and Grey their first lead of the game. Later on in that inning, Ryan Davis hit a sacrifice fly to center field deep enough for Jimenez to score from third. To close out the third inning, Brown doubled to right field to drive in Aponte, granting the Hawks a three-run lead.

While starting pitcher Brandon Gomez and the Hawk defense held the Spartans scoreless from the second inning through the sixth inning, the Hawks kept their foot on the gas on offense. In the top of the fourth, Carson doubled to center field to drive in Joshua Caldwell. Later on, Carson took advantage of a throwing error by the Saprtans to race to the plate for another run. After no runs were scored by either team in the fifth and sixth frames, Quentin Smith singled down the left field line in the seventh inning to drive in Caldwell for the seventh run of the day for UMES. 

Although the Spartans threatened a comeback with a three-run top of the seventh, the Hawks diminished all hope of a Norfolk State comeback with an emphatic 12-run 8th inning. Highlighted by a solo home run by Jimenez, a two-RBI double by Davis, and a two-RBI double by Brown, Maryland eastern Shore amassed 12 runs on eight hits in the inning alone. After a scoreless inning by Tyler Prather in the bottom of the eighth frame, the Hawks cemented a run-rule victory in the final game of the season, 19-4.

THE NUMBERS

The Hawks recorded a season-high 19 runs on a season-high 20 hits and one error while the Spartans finished with four runs on 11 hits and six errors.

Julian Jimenez finished 4-for-5 at the plate with three runs, a home run, and three RBI. Jimenez achieved a season-high in hits.

In his final game of his collegiate career, Ryan Davis finished 3-for-4 at the plate with a season-high 4 RBI.

Jason Brown finished 3-for-6 at the plate with a season-high four RBI.

Joshua Caldwell recorded his second consecutive three-hit game.

Brandon Gomez earned the win on the mound, tying his season-high for innings pitched with 5.2 innings on the mound. Gomez did not yield a single run from the second inning on.

The Hawks amassed 44 hits in this series which is the most hits of any series this season.

UMES earned their second NEC series win of the season.

WHAT WAS SAID:

"We came out here swinging the bat and being aggressive. Their pitching staff could not beat us if we have this mentality, and we take it to them" -Ryan Davis on how the offense was so successful.

UP NEXT

With this win, the Hawks finish 7-41 (6-24) on the season. Maryland Eastern Shore improved their record from last year by seven wins this season.

FOLLOW ALONG

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