SUMMARY  
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team dropped both games of its second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader against Norfolk State on Saturday. The Hawks were shut out 5–0 in Game 1 and fell 10–5 in Game 2 after a strong early start by the Spartans.

In Game 1, UMES recorded four hits compared to Norfolk State's 10. Dani Brown, Paris Richards, and Chloe Weber all appeared in the circle, combining for two strikeouts.

UMES responded offensively in Game 2 with 11 hits, highlighted by Emily Gunther's 4-for-4 performance with two runs scored. Paris Richards started in the circle and pitched three innings, allowing six hits and one walk while striking out one.

THE SCORE 
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (8–18, 1–2 MEAC) — 0
Norfolk State (11–10, 3-1 MEAC) —  5

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (8–18, 1–4 MEAC) — 5
Norfolk State (12-10, 4-1 MEAC) —  10

HOW IT HAPPENED 

GAME ONE
Norfolk State struck early in the top of the first inning, scoring four runs on four hits. After a groundout to begin the game, a double and single brought home the first run and a two-run home run later in the inning pushed the Spartans' advantage to 4–0.

Norfolk State added another run in the third inning with a solo home run to extend the lead to 5–0.

UMES was unable to generate offensive momentum, finishing the game with four hits from Clarke Calvin, Lola Meyer, Gabriella Beltran, and Emily Gunther while leaving four runners on base through seven innings.

GAME TWO

Norfolk State carried its momentum in the final game of the afternoon, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. A single and stolen base set up an RBI double, and a three-run home run extended the Spartans' lead to 4–0.
The Spartans added two more runs before the Hawks found their rhythm, using an RBI double to push the lead to 6–0.

UMES responded in the bottom of the third inning. Jada Lacey singled and Emily Gunther followed with her second hit of the day to put runners on base before Araceli Manzo delivered a two-RBI single to center field to cut the deficit to 6–2. The Hawks collected five hits in the inning but were unable to add more runs.

Norfolk State answered in the fourth inning with two more runs, highlighted by an RBI triple and a groundout that extended the lead to 8–2.

UMES added another run later in the game when Jada Lacey delivered an RBI single to bring home Skylar Skinner and make it 8–3.

Norfolk State added insurance in the final two innings with a sacrifice fly in the sixth and a solo home run in the seventh to push the lead to 10–3.

The Hawks attempted a late rally in the bottom of the seventh. Emily Gunther singled and Araceli Manzo reached on an error before Kai Hudson delivered a two-RBI single to center field to cut the deficit to 10–5, but the rally fell short as the final out ended the game.

BY THE NUMBERS

Emily Gunther reached 12 hits on the season and recorded her second double of the year while posting a career-high four hits in Game 2.

Kai Hudson recorded her first multi-hit game of the season and her first multi-RBI performance since Feb. 14 against Fort Valley State.

Paris Richards recorded her second multi-hit game of the season in Game 2.

Araceli Manzo recorded her third multi-RBI game of the season with two in Game 2.

The 5–0 loss in Game 1 marked UMES' second shutout loss of the season, with the first coming on March 1 against North Carolina A&T.

NEXT UP 

UMES softball will face Norfolk State in the series finale on Sunday, March 22, at 12 p.m.