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Feb. 22, 2004
Princess Anne, MD - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (UMES) (2-3) won their first games of the season this weekend, sweeping a double header from the U.S. Naval Academy (1-6) by scores of 2-1 and 3-2. The wins gave Head Coach Bobby Rodriguez his first wins as Hawk Head Coach. Robert Benak proved the hero in game one as he closed out the Navy seventh inning with two incredible plays from third base. Then, just as extra innings seemed to be in store for the Hawks, Benak hit his first colligate home run, a shot over the right field wall to win the game in walk-off fashion. "What a way to win your first game," said new Head Coach Rodriguez. "The guys played hard, worked hard, and had a great day. I hope this is a sign of how the season will be, two wins with hard work," he added. The games were both pitching duels as UMES got on the board first in game one in the fourth inning when Anthony Jackson dropped a suicide squeeze down the first base line, scoring Greg Cathell who was on third after reaching on an error and being moved over by a Bobby Shaw double down the left field line. Navy evened the game in the sixth with a two out single by Chris Ashinhurst. Ryan McGinn reached when a Shawn Dennis pitch hit him and was followed by a Trevor Thompson single to left, scoring Ashinhurst. The solo shot by Benak not only won the game, but gave UMES their first win of the season, a win in their home opener and new Hawk, Dennis, a win in just his second game, and first home start. He pitched seven innings, allowing one earned run and four walks. Ryan Hefner got the loss for the Midshipman after pitching six and two thirds innings, allowing two runs, one earned and striking out four. In game two the Hawks appeared heading for a split in the double header as Navy took a one run lead in the fourth inning. McGinn started the inning by tripling to right center. He scored quickly when Ashinhurst singled through the left side. UMES wasn't down long when in the bottom of the inning they got on the board when Cathell singled through the left side, moving Pete Mayta to third after he led off with a walk. Shaw collected the RBI, sacrifice flying to right and scoring Mayta. Navy came right back, getting a run in the fifth. They scored on an inside the park home run that got by centerfielder Joel Maher. That was Navy's fourth leading home run hitter, Craig Candeto getting his first of the season. The Hawks weren't settling for a split. They put two runs on the board in the sixth inning. Maher led off with a single to right and moved to second on a Mayta single to right. Cathell then dropped a beautiful sacrifice bunt down the first base line to move both Hawks over. Bobby Shaw broke the game open by hitting an infield single and then moving to second on a second base throwing error. Both runners scored and the Hawks were up 3-2. UMES got stellar pitching from Graylon Kitchens who went the distance allowing just two earned runs, eight hits, and two walks. He struck out four and moved to 1-0 on the season. The Hawks travel to Norfolk State on Wednesday where they look to turn their record into a winning one, taking on the Spartans in double-header action starting at 12:00. Their next home game is Friday versus Lehigh University at 12:00 pm. |
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