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April 17, 2004
Princess Anne, MD - The UMES softball team made senior day a memorable one by sweeping a MEAC doubleheader from the Howard University Bison by scores of 6-5 and 5-4 at Hawks Field, each win coming in dramatic fashion. The Hawks (4-29, 3-9 MEAC) scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning in game one to erase a 5-2 deficit and stun the Bison (9-19, 3-9 MEAC), then scored again in the seventh in game two to break a 4-4 tie and earn the sweep. Marlee Johnson proved the hero in each victory, getting the game winning hit in both games. In game one the Bison got on the board first, putting up three runs in the second inning. Two runs coming off the bat of Ashley Webb who homered to center. The Lady Hawks got one back in the bottom of the third when Chrissy mason scored on an error after hitting a double. That put UMES down 4-1 since Howard got a run in the top of the third. The Lady Hawks added another in the fifth inning when a Jen Wilson single to center plated Rena Bishop who had reached earlier on a fielder's choice. With the score 5-2 UMES came to bat in the bottom of the final inning. Heather Patnode started off the inning by reaching on a fielding error by the first baseman. Mason followed her with a walk. Bishop, the #9 hitter stepped in with runners on first and second and singled through the right side scoring senior Ckyla Grays who pinch ran for Patnode. The score was now 5-3 and Poss stepped in with runners on first and second. Poss laid down a sacrifice bunt but reached when first baseman Tamra Jordan fell while fielding the ball and the bases were loaded with no outs.
Wilson then singled to left center scoring Mason and Bishop to tie the game at five. Lesley Aitkenhead then dug in and drove a single to right field, loading the bases. Johnson then got the first of her two game winning hits driving a single to left, scoring Poss. The hit was probably a base clearing double but the Lady Hawks didn't need anymore, winning game one 6-5.
In game two it was Howard again scoring first, plating two runs in the first. The second run came on a Hunter single through the right side that plated Tracy Javier. The Lady Hawks got even quick, scoring their first two run of the first. Poss led off the inning with a single to center. Wilson then stepped in and scored not only Poss, but herself as well. It wasn't a home run, but a fielder's choice to third and an overthrow of second by Hunter that scored them both. UMES took the lead in the third inning. With two out Wilson singled up the middle and then scored on an Aitkenhead double to center. A Johnson single then scored Aitkenhead. The Lady Bison made it a 4-3 game in the sixth inning. A Carmen Smith single scored Pickett who had reached on a double and went to third on the throw. Entering the seventh inning UMES seemed to have the game wrapped up. They gave up a hit to Webb who was pinch hitting but caught her stealing after getting Debbie Lee to pop out to short. A Javier single up the middle gave Howard hope. Cross then hit a shot to left field and was safe on an error by Bishop after Javier tied the game at four. In the bottom of the seventh it was Hawk Time. Poss led-off with a single to second base. Wilson attempted to move her over on a bunt, but an incredible charge by Pickett at third caught the bunt about one foot off the plate and she threw to first to double up Poss. With two out the Lady Hawks looked to head to extra innings. No need. Aitkenhead doubled to center. Johnson stepped in. There was a passed ball to move Aitkenhead to third. That was the base they needed as Johnson got game winner number two, singling to left and driving in the winning run, 6-5. It was senior day at the UMES softball diamond, and Head Coach Barbara Hicks recognized four year seniors Rena Bishop and Sarah Whitfield and transfers Lesley Aitkenhead and Ckyla Grays. The Hawks have now won three straight games following a 25-game skid, and won for the first time against any opponent besides Morgan State. |
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