Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
SUMMARY  
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team fell to South Carolina State 5–2 in Game 1 of its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.

In the first game, the Hawks were shut out through six innings until a late rally by Kai Hudson, Aylena Thompson and Kinsey Mentzer's two-RBI double in the seventh inning to score UMES' two runs.

Paris Richards tossed her second complete game of the season for the Hawks.

In Game 2, UMES tied the game at 1–1 in the fifth inning on an error by South Carolina State. However, the Bulldogs scored seven runs in the sixth to take control. The Hawks made a final push in the seventh with the bases loaded, scoring two runs to make it 8–3, but fell short of a complete comeback.

THE SCORE 
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (9–28, 1–12 MEAC) — 2
South Carolina State  (16-13, 9-4 MEAC) — 5

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (9–29, 1–13 MEAC) — 4
South Carolina State  (17-13, 10-4 MEAC) — 8

HOW IT HAPPENED 
GAME ONE
A popup recorded the first out in the Hawks' final at-bat. UMES remained scoreless until Clarke Calvin reached on a single, but was caught stealing on the ensuing play as Hudson entered the game as a pinch hitter for Emily Gunther with two outs.
Hudson reached base with a double to left field, and Thompson came in for Gabriella Beltran and singled to left field to load the bases for the Hawks.

Kinsey Mentzer pinch-hit for Lola Meyer and delivered a two-RBI double to give UMES its first runs of the game. A strikeout ended the inning with Mentzer stranded at second and the Hawks unable to complete the comeback.

Paris Richards pitched a complete game for South Carolina State, holding UMES to minimal offensive production over seven innings.

GAME 2
UMES mounted a late rally but fell short against South Carolina State 8–4 in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader.

UMES tied the game in the top of the fifth inning. Lola Meyer worked a walk to lead off for the Hawks and was given a courtesy runner in Makalah Clark. Emily Gunther's sacrifice bunt successfully advanced Clark to second. A flyout held Clark at second before Jada Lacey's RBI single, scoring Clark to tie the game at 1–1.

South Carolina State responded decisively in the bottom of the sixth, putting up seven runs to pull ahead of the Hawks 8–1.

UMES mounted a comeback attempt in its final chance in the seventh with the bases loaded. Lola Meyer reached on a single, Gunther earned a walk and Skylar Skinner singled to load the bases. Lacey reached on an error and Meyer scored to make it 8–2. With two outs, Kinsey Mentzer plated Gunther with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 8–3. Clarke Calvin reached on a fielder's choice with Lacey advancing to third but Skinner was thrown out advancing to home to end the game at 8–3.

BY THE NUMBERS
Kinsey Mentzer ended the day with two hits and three RBI for the Hawks. 

Mentzer and Kai Husdon's doubled in the seventh, marking fourth and second on the season, respectively. 

Dani Brown pitched in 5.2 innings with four strikeouts in Game 2, marking 49 batters fanned on the season. 

NEXT UP
UMES will play the final game of its MEAC series against SCSU on Sunday, April 12 at 12 p.m.