Lady Bears rally to defeat Lady Hawks
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – On a day where both squad’s seniors were recognized for their dedication on the playing field, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Women’s Softball Team fell to in-state rival Morgan State in conference play, 5-2.
With the loss, UMES dropped to 7-29 (4-11 MEAC) and officially eliminated from Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) playoff contention. On the other side, Morgan State moved to 7-25 (6-9 MEAC) and completed the season sweep of the Lady Hawks.
Offensively, Maryland Eastern Shore produced 13 hits; however, stranded 11 baserunners. Sophomore Alexis Hudson registered her eighth multi-hit game of the season after tying a career-high with three hits. Fellow sophomore Ciara Schnyder and juniors Vanessa Gomez and Kaitlyn Hitch each had two hits in a losing effort.
In her final home game, King went 1-of-4 with a RBI in the loss. Freshman pitcher Adrienne Guerra had a solid outing, going seven innings and allowed five runs (four earned).
For Morgan State, senior Zina Constancia tallied two hits and a run scored. Teammate Audrianna Alvarez also posted two hits and a RBI in the victory.
On May 2-3, the Lady Hawks conclude its 2015 campaign in Dover, Del. where they will take on route 13 rival Delaware State in a three-game series. Saturday’s doubleheader and Sunday’s seven inning contest begins at 1 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com or www.morganstatebears.com
Freshmen Trio Lead the Way in DSU’s Victory Over Bison to Secure Sweep
DOVER, Del. – The Delaware State softball team (17-21, 11-4 MEAC) pulled out a 4-0 win over the visiting Howard Bison (14-27, 8-10 MEAC) to secure its third consecutive series sweep over a MEAC opponent, led by the play of freshmen Vanessa Washington, Dominique Little and Khaliyah Flournory.
With this victory, the Hornets extended their season-long winning streak to 10 games, surpassing last season’s consecutive win total. DSU also defeated Howard for the 13th straight time, including 14 out of the last 15 meetings.
Washington, who was named MEAC Rookie of the Week on Monday for the second straight time, put the Hornets ahead 2-0 with a pair of RBI-singles in the first and third innings, while Flournory blasted a two-run bomb off starter Alex Flynn (6-8) in the fourth. Little, meanwhile, went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Also at the plate, outfielder Nicole Gazzola went 1-for-3 to extend her hit streak to a season-high 14 games.
Securing her third shutout victory of the season was sophomore Tara Tursellino (12-14), who despite allowing nine HU hits, surrendered no walks and tallied three strikeouts. Howard, on the other hand, stranded eight batters on the bag in its seventh shutout loss of the year.
Coming up, the Columbia Blue & Red will close out the regular season at home this weekend against the UMES Hawks. Last season, Delaware State took all three games against the Hawks on the road, capped off by an 8-4 eight-inning win to secure a share of the MEAC Northern division title.
For complete story, visit www.dsuhornets.com or www.hubison.com
Florida A&M Completes Season Sweep of SC State
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The Florida A&M softball team won Sunday’s Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader 11-5, 9-3 over SC State to complete the season sweep of the Lady Bulldogs.
In the first game, Kenya Pereira picked up the win for Florida A&M (14-33, 7-4 MEAC) after pitching shutout three innings in relief. She gave up one hit and struck out three to improve to 10-12 on the season. Jareece Sayles suffered the loss for SC State (8-25, 2-10 MEAC) after allowing 14 hits and 11 runs (four earned) in seven innings while striking out two batters.
Mikala Johnson, the team’s lone senior who was honored in the Senior Day Ceremony in between games, went 1-for-3 with two RBI in the first game. Unique Whitehurst was 1-for-3 and scored twice.
Pereira earned her second win of the day in game two after a seven-hit, three run complete game. She struck out five Lady Bulldogs and walked three. Keirra Cromer fell to 2-8 on the season after she gave up 10 hits and nine runs (six earned) in five innings.
Deanna Sullivan led the offense in the night cap by going 3-for-4 with two RBI. Tiara Lovejoy was 2-for-3 with two runs.
The Lady Bulldogs conclude the regular season next weekend in a three-game series at Savannah State. Saturday’s doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. and Sunday’s single game starts at noon.
For complete story, visit www.famuathletics.com or www.scsuathletics.com
Hampton completes home sweep of Coppin State
HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University softball team completed its series sweep of Coppin State with a doubleheader sweep on Sunday at the Lady Pirates Softball Stadium, winning the first game 8-0 before taking the second game 9-0.
Both games were completed in five innings.
Taylor McCoy drove in five runs in the first game, and she was one of four Hampton players to record two hits.
Allyson Babinsack pitched four innings to pick up her 14th win of the season, striking out three and scattering three hits.
Jessica Reiman and McCoy each drove in three runs in the second game.
Senior Jailynn Jackson struck out eight in five innings of work in the second game, only giving up two hits and picking up her fourth win of the season.
The Lady Pirates will be home for the final time this season on Friday and Saturday to take on rival Norfolk State. Friday’s game will be televised live on ESPNU at 3 p.m., and Saturday’s doubleheader will start at 1 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.hamptonpirates.com or www.coppinstatesports.com