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May 21, 2006
NORFOLK, VA - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) finished 2006 with the best mark since its 1995 season today with a 14-0 loss to Bethune-Cookman College (BCC) in the Championship Game of the 2006 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) held at Marty L. Miller Field on the campus of Norfolk State University. The Hawks, while hoping for a better outcome, have a lot to be proud of, tallying a 17-34-1 mark, their best since 1995 when they posted a 25-28 campaign. "An outstanding year," said Head Coach Bobby Rodriguez. "We have a lot to be proud of, these kids worked hard, I owe it all to my seven seniors who led the team by example. It was a great season for the Hawks." UMES recorded three wins in the tournament in five games and saw some outstanding performances. For their play the Hawks placed five players on the All-Tournament Team. Morgan Schirmer, Greg Cathell, Brad Powell, Ronald Quick and Justin Hoban all took home hardware. UMES, after pounding out 35 hits yesterday, 26 against Coppin State, couldn't get the bats going against BCC's (30-25) lefty Francisco Rodriguez (9-1) who allowed just three Hawk hits and went a complete game with seven strikeouts and four walks. They tallied 66 hits in the five games of the tournament, but only three of those against BCC. UMES pitching couldn't stay away from the Wildcat bats. Looking for an advantage Coach Rodriguez threw a combination of southpaws, starting freshman Mike Roberts (2-3) who took the loss. He was chased after giving up six runs, four earned in the third inning. Jamar Cadejuste, Michael Willey and Brandon Records all pitched in relief.
The Hawk's three hits came in the sixth, seventh and ninth innings respectively. Joel Maher, Bernie Stratchko and Ronald Quick had hits in that order. Bethune-Cookman College plated two runs in the first, three in the third, one in the fourth, two in the fifth and five in the ninth highlighted by a grand slam off the bat of Alejandro Jimenez. Jose Ortiz-Rivera also hit a home run and was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Performer. The Wildcats advance to the NCAA Tournament Baseball Regionals. "You have to take hat off to UMES. I mean no one thought they would make it to the Championship Game; but they kept on fighting throughout the tournament I mean even in this game they never gave up," said BCC's Head Coach Mervyl Melendez. |
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