March 24, 2004

Box Score

Princess Anne, MD - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (UMES) (2-26-1) dropped a double-header pair to the visiting Tigers of Savannah State University (14-12) by scores of 20-11 and 9-8. The second game ended after six innings due to darkness.

In game one the Tigers took a 4-0 lead after their half of the first but UMES came right back. They scored two runs on a Rob Benak (0-3, 3 RBIs) sacrifice fly that plated Greg Cathell (1-2, 3 runs, 1 RBI) and Joel Maher (3-3, 1 run, 3 RBIs). They tied the game at four after the second inning. Pete Mayta (1-2, 2 runs) doubled to right but with two outs Cathell singled to left, advancing to second on the throw and scoring Mayta. The two out rally continued when Maher singled to center to score Cathell.

The Tigers took the lead right back getting four runs in the third inning and chasing starter Sean Davis from the mound. Terrell Harris then gave the Hawks three and a third innings of solid work. He was in position for the win as his Hawks scored six runs in the fourth.

Graylon Kitchens (0-3, 1 run) and Mayta led-off with back-to-back walks and were moved over on a James Walls (0-2, 1 run) sacrifice bunt. Cathell loaded the bases when a pitch hit him and Maher followed him, drawing an RBI walk. Benak then reached on a fielder's choice that plated two more runs. Bobby Shaw (1-3, 1 run, 1 RBI) then doubled to center, scoring Benak. An Anthony Jackson (2-3, 1 run, 1 RBI) double plated Shaw and a Butch Mills (1-4, 1 RBI) double plated him. Kitchens ended the inning he started, flying out to second.

UMES added one run in the fifth when Walls scored on a Maher single to center.

The Hawks led 11-8 but a four run sixth and eight run seventh gave the Tigers a 20-11 win.

In game two, Hawk Starter Leon Tilghman went the distance, giving up nine runs, seven earned, striking out two. The Tigers got four runs in the first and three in the second to lead 7-1. That UMES run came in the first when Maher scored on a Shaw single.

Savannah State added a run in the fourth but the Hawks plated four it the fifth to make the score 8-5. Walls (1-3, 2 runs) led that inning off reaching on an error by the second baseman. After two outs Benak (1-4, 1 run) hit a double down the left field line to push Walls to third. He scored on a wild pitch and Benak went to third. Shaw (2-3, 1 run, 1 RBI) and Jackson (0-3 1 run) were both hit by a pitch and the bases were loaded with two outs. A Mills (2-3, 3 RBIs) double to center emptied the bases and UMES was back in the game.

Savanna State added an insurance run in the top of the sixth and it turned out to be a good investment. In the bottom of the inning Mayta (0-2, 1 run) walked and went to second on a Walls single to right center. Donnell Queen (1-3, 1 run 1 RBI) then stepped in and recorded his first collegiate hit, a double to left field to score Mayta. The Hawks forced a pitching change, but reliever Phillips allowed a Maher (1-3, 1 run 1 RBI) double that scored Walls. A new reliever, Alvarez, took over to record a strike out on Benak. A wild pitch scored Queen and sent Maher to third and the tying run was on third. The closer did his job, getting a strike out and ground out and the Tigers took game two, 9-8.

Antoine Richmond went 5-7 with 4 runs and 4 RBIs, Rafel Blanco was 4-9 with 4 runs and 3 RBIs, and William Johnson was 5-8 with 4 runs and 9 RBIs on the day for the Tigers.

UMES takes on the Aggies of North Carolina A & T State University this weekend on Saturday and Sunday.