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May 19, 2006
NORFOLK, VA - The Delaware State Hornets came back from a one run deficit to score once in the eighth and again in the ninth to take a 2-1 win over the Fighting Hawks of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in the second round of the 2006 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Tournament held on the campus of Norfolk State University. The game was a pitching fans' dream, seeing DSU's Nick Bitter throw a complete game nine hitter where he gave up just one run and one walk while striking out four. For the Hawks, Michael Willey pitched a gem as well, he went eight and one third innings allowing two runs on two hits and allowing just two walks. UMES took the lead in the third inning when All-MEAC catcher Morgan Schirmer singled up the middle and went to second after a Pete Mayta single. Brad Powell moved them both over with a sacrifice bunt and fellow All-MEAC member Eric Gaines plated Schirmer with a single up the middle of his own. The Hawks defense stood tall, while Willey continued to throw well. In fact, Willey only gave up four hits until the eighth when Brandon Gravley recorded a one out single and went to third after a Tyler Hostetter single through the right side. Hostetter's brother, Brandon, would hit a slow grounder to the shortstop Gaines who would attempt to turn two to get out of the inning but after getting Tyler Hostetter out at second Brandon would be safe and Gravely would score the tying run. UMES had no answer in the eighth and sent the dominating starter Willey back out to start the ninth. Alex Carter led-off with a single and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jim Johnson. Willey would be lifted for closer Mike Roberts. After a wild pitch, which was questioned as a foul ball, headed to the backstop, Carter would be on third. Lead-off hitter C.J. Acker would fly out to right, just deep enough, despite a great throw from Ronald Quick, and score Carter to give the Hornets the go-ahead run.
The Hawks couldn't score in the bottom of the ninth when a great catch in right field would double up Justin Hoban at second and end the Hawks run in the winner's bracket. UMES moves on to face the third seed Coppin State tomorrow at 10:00 am. Coppin State defeated North Carolina A & T in the final game of the evening to eliminate the defending MEAC Champions. UMES topped Coppin State 14-6 in the first round of the MEAC Tournament and took one of three from them in the regular season. If the Hawks win they move on to play at 6:00 pm against the loser of the Delaware State and Bethune-Cookman match-up at 2:00 pm tomorrow. |
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