SUMMARY
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team was swept by Delaware State in Saturday's doubleheader, falling 11–0 in Game 1 (five innings) and 4–3 in Game 2.
In Game 1,
Jada Lacey and
Araceli Manzo recorded the Hawks' only two hits. UMES left five runners on base despite multiple scoring opportunities.
In Game 2, the Hawks mounted a late rally, scoring two runs in the seventh inning to cut the deficit to one at 4–3.
Araceli Manzo drove in the Hawks' only run as UMES finished with five hits but could not complete the comeback with runners on first and third.
Paris Richards pitched a complete game in Game 1, while
Dani Brown tossed a complete game in Game 2.
THE SCORE
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (14–31, 5–14 MEAC) — 11
Delaware State Hornets (11–24, 6–6 CIAA) — 0
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (24–16, 13–6 MEAC) — 3
Delaware State Hornets (25–16, 14–6 CIAA) — 4
HOW IT HAPPENED
GAME ONE
Delaware State opened the game with three runs on three hits and one error to take early control.
UMES left two runners on base in the first inning after
Skylar Skinner and
Lola Meyer were hit by pitches. Two Hawks struck out in the same inning, coming away empty.
Delaware State continued to add pressure with two runs in the second inning on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to give the Hornets a 5–0 lead.
The Hawks left two runners on base in the bottom half.
Araceli Manzo worked a walk and stole second, and
Paris Richards was walked before
Jada Lacey singled to advance the runners and load the bases. After a strikeout, Manzo was caught stealing home.
Makalah Clark pinch-ran for Manzo and advanced to second. A strikeout swinging ended the inning.
After a quiet third inning, Delaware State added one run in the fourth on a home run to left-center to expand its lead to 6–0.
Araceli Manzo recorded a single in the bottom frame but was left stranded.
The Hornets put up five runs in the fifth inning on three hits and one error to pull away. The Hawks were retired in order to close the game at 11–0.
GAME TWO
UMES responded to the first game shutout, keeping Game 2 competitive until the final out.
Dani Brown pitched a complete game for the Hawks, allowing just two hits through the first inning to keep the Hornets at bay.
UMES scored one run in the bottom of the first inning.
Amaya Nunez reached on a single and
Lola Meyer was walked. A wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position before
Araceli Manzo drove in Nunez with a single to left field to give the Hawks a 1–0 lead.
Delaware State responded with two runs in the third inning. The Hornets stole five bases, worked counts to earn walks and took advantage of an error to score and take a 2–1 lead.
For three innings, UMES and Delaware State engaged in a pitching duel with Brown striking out two and leading the Hawks to quick innings. The Hornets' offense added two more runs after a leadoff double and a home run to extend their lead to 4–1.
In the Hawks' final chance in Game 2, a popup recorded the first out before
Tyla Dickerson pinch-hit and delivered a single.
Chloe Weber pinch-hit and reached on a fielder's choice with Dickerson out at second.
Skylar Skinner singled, advancing Weber to second.
Aylena Thompson entered as a pinch runner with two outs and popped up to second base, but an error allowed Weber and Skinner to score, cutting the Hawks' deficit to one at 4–3 with Thompson advancing to second.
Kai Hudson singled, advancing Thompson to third to put runners at the corners with a chance to send the contest into extra innings. A popup ended the inning with two runners left on base and Delaware State securing a 4–3 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
GAME ONE
Paris Richards tossed her fifth complete game of the season.
Jada Lacey's hit marks her 21st of the season.
Araceli Manzo's hit marks her 27th of the season.
Araceli Manzo stole her 10th base of the season.
GAME TWO
Dani Brown pitched her sixth complete game of the season. Her three strikeouts improve her season total to 58.
Kai Hudson,
Tyla Dickerson and
Aylena Thompson entered Saturday's game as pinch hitters and each recorded singles. Hudson marked her seventh hit of the season, Dickerson her third hit of the season and Thompson her fifth hit of the season.
NEXT UP
UMES softball will host Delaware State in the final game of the season with a Senior Day celebration before first pitch at 11:30 a.m. Game 3 will be streamed on YouTube at UMES Hawks Athletics.
Â
