Duke overpowers UMES in non-conference game

 DURHAM, N.C. - It was a frigid night at Jack Coombs Field on Tuesday and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore was unable to keep up its hot play, as the Hawks fell at Duke, 15-7. UMES has now lost 12 consecutive games against the Blue Devils.

The Hawks posted 10 hits and have recorded double-digit hits four times in the past six games.

With the decision, UMES falls to 3-11 on the year, while Duke ups its record to 13-8.

UMES opened the scoring in the game as the Hawks took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first. Senior Stephen Bull singled to left, before moving over on a bunt single by sophomore Mike Escanilla Duke

starter Karl Blum would fan the next two hitters, but junior Greg Turlik came up big for UMES with a single up the middle to score Bull.

Duke responded with two in the bottom half of the frame, but Turlik hosed Duke's Jordan Betts on a perfectly executed throw home to end the Blue Devil rally. The game went silent in the second, before Duke upped its lead to 3-1 on an RBI double to right-center by Betts to score Chris Marconcini.

The Hawks inched closer with a single tally in the fourth as Duke chased UMES starter Will Turley in the bottom half of the inning with six runs. The seven-run Blue Devil advantage was cut nearly in half by UMES in the fifth.

Escanilla walked to open the inning and scored on a one-out RBI by freshman Justin Dattilo. Turlik doubled on a one hop to the left field fence the next hitter to score Dattilo, before scoring on an RBI groundout by senior Jeffrey Fleetwood to make the score 12-5.

The Blue Devils matched the Hawks with three of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The Hawks used a triple to left center by Escanilla to score Bull and bring the game to within six.

Duke proved to be too tough down the stretch as the Blue Devils won for the second time this year against a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponent.

The Hawks had four players register two-hit performances in the game. Escanilla had a team-high three hits including the triple, while Turlik was 2-for-3 with two RBI. Senior Byron Campbell went 0-for-5 in the game to end his hit-streak at 10 games. Turley (0-2) was credited with the loss after allowing seven hits and five earned runs in three innings. UMES ran out four pitchers in relief of Turley.

Duke was paced by Mark Lumpa, who was 4-for-4 with four runs and two RBI. Chris Marconcini was 3-for-5 with four RBI, including his sixth homer of the year to rightfield in the sixth. Dalton Brown came on in relief to pick up the win as he threw two innings and allowed three runs in relief of Blum.

UMES will return to action tomorrow, March 19, when the Hawks travel to Greensboro, N.C,, to square off with the Spartans of UNC Greensboro. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

For complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com

 

 

Durapau Leads Bethune-Cookman Past North Florida

 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Senior right-hander Montana Durapau went nine full innings for his second complete game of the season and sixth of his career. In addition, Bethune-Cookman’s offense provided outstanding run support to earn another big midweek victory, topping North Florida, 8-1, Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Although the Ospreys (9-10) were first to tack one up on the scoreboard, scoring one run in the top of the third on a Drew Weeks sacrifice fly, the Wildcats (11-10) were quick to respond in a big way.

Trailing by one run in the bottom of the third, second baseman Jordan Thomas got the Wildcats started with a first-pitch leadoff double down the left field line. Although Thomas fell victim to a heads-up rundown play by the pitcher, right fielder Josh Johnson capitalized by reaching second to replace the runner in scoring position. Two batters later, Johnson and catcher Zach Olszewski crossed the plate as a fielding error by UNF third baseman Trent Higginbothem allowed Austin Garcia to reach second.

The Wildcats followed up with another big inning in the fourth, capitalizing on a pair of throwing errors by UNF catcher James Abbatinozzi. Designated hitter Bryant Munoz, who reached base on a first-pitch single over second base, advanced to third on one off-target throw, as the Ospreys tried the pickoff move at first. Munoz came home on the second error, batted in by Thomas on the play. Oslzewski backsided an RBI single into right field to bring Jake Welch home, and first baseman Eric Sams capped off the frame with a sacrifice fly to bring in Thomas and move the Wildcats ahead 5-1.

Dan Vansickle relieved starter Jordan Nolan in the fourth for the Ospreys, and aside from the sac fly, teamed with Tyler DuPont to keep the Wildcats off the board for the next three innings.

However, the Wildcats broke through again in the bottom of the eighth against UNF’s Ryan McMahon, quickly setting the table with Welch reaching as a hit batter and Thomas reaching base on UNF’s fourth error of the night. Shortly, Johnson would load the bases, beating out an infield chopper. Although the Ospreys were able to secure a double play, Welch reached home to extend the B-CU advantage to six.

With two outs away in the frame, Sams added to the total, bringing in Thomas on a slow-developing infield grounder, and Robinson solidified a big-hitting night for B-CU, lining an RBI single to center field, sending Sams home and the Wildcats advantage to 8-1.

Although UNF secured a pair of singles to open the ninth, Durapau (4-0) maintained composure as he passed the century pitch mark, with great support from the Wildcats’ defense, which registered a double play and a groundout to finalize the victory, keeping B-CU perfect in Tuesday games this season.

Durapau allowed just the one earned run while allowing no walks, and striking out three. Nolan (0-1) takes the loss for UNF, pitching 3.1 innings with one earned run and two strikeouts.

With the win, Durapau made his eighth consecutive quality start, dating back to last May, listing him among just 19 pitchers in NCAA Division I who are 5-for-5 in quality starts this season. The senior has made a quality start in 12 of his last 13 outings.

At the plate, Sams and Robinson each went 2-for-4, with Sams logging two RBI and one run. Olszewski was 2-for-3 with one RBI and a run.

The Wildcats return to action with another Duval County foe on Wednesday, as Jacksonville University (5-12) comes to Jackie Robinson Ballpark for a 6 p.m. matchup. With a game cancellation at South Florida, this will be the first game of the week for the Dolphins, who are 2-5 on the road.

For complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com