Hawks come up with clutch hits in seventh inning to split doubleheader at Hampton

 

SUMMARY

HAMPTON, VA. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team split Tuesday's doubleheader at Hampton, falling 7-0 in Game 1 before rallying for a 5-3 victory in Game 2 behind a four-run seventh inning and a strong performance from Paige Perkins at the plate.

THE SCORE

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (8–20, 1–5 MEAC) — 0

Hampton (7-19, 1-8 CAA) — 7

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (9–20, 1–5 MEAC) — 5

Hampton (7-20, 1-8 CAA) — 3

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1

UMES was held hitless by Hampton, drawing three walks from Clarke Calvin, Aylena Thompson and Dani Brown while leaving just four runners on base through seven innings. The Hawks allowed 14 hits and committed one error in the contest.

Hampton scored all seven of its runs in the first four innings. Paris Richards started in the circle for UMES and pitched three innings before Dani Brown entered in the fourth and tossed the final four innings in relief.

Game Two

The Hawks rebounded in Game 2 with Paige Perkins hitting her first home run of the season to left field in the second inning, giving UMES its first hit and run of the day.

Hampton responded in the third inning with an RBI double to take a 2-1 lead, and UMES was held scoreless over the next four innings.
 

In the top of the seventh, the Hawks erupted for four runs to regain control of the game. Paige Perkins continued her strong performance with an RBI double to left field, scoring Ryleigh Lilly to give UMES the lead and the first run of its four in the inning.

Skylar Skinner followed with a single up the middle and Amaya Nunez drew a walk before Emily Gunther delivered an RBI single to right center to bring home Skinner. Gabriella Beltran then pinch hit for Kinsey Mentzer and drove in Gunther and Nunez to extend the Hawks' lead to 5-2 heading into the final inning.

Hampton attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh but fell short, plating one unearned run on two hits and leaving one runner on base.

Dani Brown earned the win, pitching two innings in relief and allowing just two hits after entering for Paris Richards in the sixth inning.

BY THE NUMBERS

The last time UMES ended a contest with zero hits was in the 2001 season where UMES fell to Stony Brook.

Paige Perkins recorded her first multi-hit game and second home run of the season.

Emily Gunter has recorded nine hits over the last 10 contests and her batting average is now up to .346

Gabriella Beltran recorded her second multi-RBI game with two in game 2 along with her third double of the season.




COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH AARON ROBINSON


"We showed we can hit in the clutch. Our ladies stayed patient and ultimately came up with some big hits when it mattered in the second game. We end the day with some momentum heading into a weekend series against Morgan State and we have to use it to our advantage."


"Our pitchers have been putting in the work to be great. I think they have shown confidence throughout the last few games and I think the level of communication from all of our pitchers has been excellent. They have all stayed ready when their number is called and continue to improve. Our pitching unit kept us in both games today and continue to do what they need to do to help us win."


"I think our hitters need to approach every at bat with confidence. I thought Paige Perkins was able to find her way at the plate. She was due to have a good day and delivered for us with the early home run in game two followed by the game tieing hit in the seventh. She had the capability to anything she wants when she believes in her ability."


"Emily Gunther gave us exactly what we needed with a line drive in the seventh to go ahead. She has done a good job of knowing the situation and providing a steady presence at the plate."
 

NEXT UP

UMES softball will face Morgan State in its third conference series of the season, opening with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 28 at 1 and 3 p.m., followed by the series finale on Sunday, March 29 at 12 p.m.