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March 27, 2005
NORFOLK, VA - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (3-20, 1-8) concluded a three-game series against Norfolk State University (6-22, 4-5) with a 12-11 extra-inning loss as the Fighting Hawks could not take advantage of bases load and one out in the bottom of the eleventh to avoid the three-game sweep and its seventh straight loss. The Spartans took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second scoring twice off of a lead off walk, followed by an error by third baseman Eric Gaines, who has started every game this season at shortstop but was moved to third when Bernie Stratchko was a late scratch from the line-up. Another walk pushed a runner into scoring position allowing him to score on the only hit of the inning. In the third inning, three hits mixed with the Fighting Hawks third error in three innings, plus three more walks increased the Spartans lead to 8-0 on only six team hits. UMES starter Rob Benak was knocked from the game with two outs in the third having given up the eight runs, all of which were unearned. On the season, the Fighting Hawks have now given up 39 unearned runs, a significant total considering they have only scored 82 runs on the season to that point. However, UMES looked to add to that total and began to slowly chip away as they scored one in the third and then five more in the fourth before tying the game in the fifth on a two-out two-run single by Gaines.
Brad Powell who finished off the third inning for the Fighting Hawks cruised through the next three innings allowing no runs on only four hits allowing the maroon and gray the opportunity to pull even and take the lead, which they did in the sixth on an RBI-single up the middle by Justin Hoban.
Norfolk State responded as they finally put a string of hits together off of Powell and in the seventh inning a three-run two-out double by Juan Serrano gave the lead back to the Spartans at 11-9. UMES threatened in the bottom of the inning and almost scored but a bang-bang play at first base went the way of NSU. In the bottom of the eighth, UMES scored one and left one stranded as Earlee Corbin pinch-hit for Angel Bermudez and grounded into an inning-ending double-play. Headed into the ninth, the Spartans looked to add on to their lead and had two runners in scoring position, but a great defensive diving catch by Joel Maher in centerfield kept the score 11-10 with Maher leading off in the bottom of the inning. Maher continued his solid play as he lead off the inning with a double that landed on the line in leftfield. Gaines then laid down a perfect sacrifice which NSU pitcher Eason made a wild throw allowing Gaines to reach safely and Maher to score from second. Tied at 11-11, Cathell grounded into a fielders choice as did Craig Munch on a controversial call at second base as it appeared Cathell made it past the second baseman without being tagged, but was called out. The game went into extra innings and again the defense came up huge. Maher made an outstanding diving catch over his left shoulder to save extra bases. NSU followed with a bloop single, but Stratchko, Pete Mayta and Greg Cathell turned an impressive 5-4-3 double-play, the teams fifth of the afternoon. Jason Janeski relieved Powell in the tenth as Powell went five and a third innings allowing just the three run double in the tremendous relief effort. In the top of the eleventh a double off the top of the Stratchko's glove at third and a balk put Eason at third and George was able to get him home on a sacrifice fly to center. In the bottom of the inning, back-to-back infield singles by Maher and Gaines put two on with no out. Cathell then sacrificed them both into scoring position for Munch, who they intentionally walked to lead the bases, but NSU was able to escape by getting a shallow fly ball and a ground-out. On the afternoon, Maher went 4-7 with an RBI and three runs scored. Gaines and Mayta each had three hits, while Gaines drove in two and scored once and Mayta scored twice and drove one in. UMES will return to action this Tuesday, March 29th as they travel to Philadelphia to take on Temple University starting at 1:00 p.m. |
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