Navy used a six-run fifth inning and rallied for three in the bottom of the inning to a 12-10 win over the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks at Max Bishop Stadium Wednesday.
Freshman Donnie Haines went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs and four RBIs to lead UMES (0-4) at the plate while Matthew Curley was 3-for-6 with three runs and two RBIs for Navy (4-0).
The Hawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Freshman Haines laced a two-RBI single to right field with two outs, scoring juniors Elliott Alston and Bryan Chaikowsky. After a Tre-von Johnson walk, freshman Lucas Koenig, singled to right center to pick up Haines.
Navy got a run back in its half of the inning as Curley singled and scored when Michael Speciale ripped a single to left with two outs.
UMES added three more runs in the second to go up, 6-1. Phil Vaughn doubled down the left-field line with one out which knocked Navy starter Alec Thomas out of the game. Stephen Geiss came in and promptly toss the ball into center on a failed pick off attempt, moving Vaughn to third. Alston then singled to center, knocking in Vaughn.
After a strikeout and Geiss balk, Luis Mena walk, Haines doubled to right, scoring Mena and Alston.
With Navy's third pitcher of the afternoon on the mound, Drew Carlson in the fourth the Hawks tacked on two more, Chaikowsky doubled, plating Corriveau and Mena followed with an RBI groundout with one man out.
Curley knocked in a run to make it 8-2 in the bottom of the fourth with a two-out base hit to left which set the stage for the Mids' offensive explosion in the fifth when they sent 10 batters to the plate.
Three of Navy's runs in the frame came with two outs, trailing 8-5, Curley had a knock to right field to score two and Alex Azor doubled to center on ball that Vaughn nearly came up with, but the damage was done with the game knotted at 8-8.
UMES responded with two more in the seventh to regain the advantage, 10-8. With one man out,
Mena reached on an error at shortstop and moved to second on the throw. Haines then singled and Johnson drove in Mena with a single to third.
Koenig gave the Hawks a two-run margin when Craig Veech booted a ball at third, allowing Mena to come in.
Sophomore John DesChamps came in the seventh and surrendered the game-winning runs. With two on and two out, Dylan Wheeler scored on a Shaquille Bagwell throwing error before Michael Speciale sent a double down the left-field line,scoring Mike Guadagnini. Navy made it 11-10 on a error by Alston
Chris Murray (1-0) got the win for the Mids, pitching 2.1 innings of no-hit ball. He walked one and struck out two DesChamps (0-1) was saddled with the loss, one inning and giving up three runs on two hits.
Navy outhit UMES, 14-12, as nine Mids collected at least one hit. Special was 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs.
Haines started on the mound and lasted 4.1 innings. He gave up seven runs on nine hits and four walks.
UMES is back in action Saturday in a doubleheader with Rider for its home opener. First pitch is scheduled for Noon.