Morgan State was able to overcome a sluggish start and lackluster performance through the better part of four innings, before bouncing back for an 11-3 MEAC victory in six innings over visiting Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) on Friday evening at Lois T. Murray Field.

The win was a season-long fourth straight for Morgan State and completed a three-game sweep of the Lady Hawks in a series which originally began a week ago on Good Friday.

Maryland Eastern Shore (6-35, 1-8 MEAC) which was riding a nine-game losing skid entering Friday's contest, jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Jasmine James singled in Carmen Gurrola and Charlise Castro scored on the play on an error for the two run lead.

Morgan State (14-21, 7-2 MEAC) managed a run in the fourth inning when pinch runner Asia Mason scored, cutting the deficit in half at 2-1.

The Lady Bears erupted for six more runs in the fifth inning to extend their lead to 7-2. Tiffany Rubin singled in two runs and Tamra Griffin and Lydia Walther-Rodriguez both tallied RBI singles to make it a 5-2 Morgan State advantage. Boshia Richardson later recorded a triple, scoring two more runs to increase the Lady Bears lead to 7-2.

After giving back a run in the top of the sixth inning, Morgan State would go back to work, adding four runs in the bottom half of the sixth to put the game away for the 11-3 victory. 

Griffin went 3-for-4 on the day with 2 RBI, while Rubin (2-for-4, two runs) and Walther-Rodriguez (1-for-4, a run) each drove in three runs. Pitcher Jordan Eades picked up her 10th win of the season, scattering three runs on five hits, two walks and had three strikeouts in six innings of work.

UMES pitcher Gurrola recorded two hits and scored a run, while Castro went 1-for-2 with a run scored to lead the Lady Hawks. Gurrola (3-18) went 5 2/3 innings and surrendered 11 runs on 10 hits, two walks and threw two strikeouts.

For the complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com or www.morganstatebears.com