Box Score


NORFOLK, Va., May 20, 2022 – Maryland Eastern Shore defeated Norfolk State 12-5 Friday afternoon at Marty L. Miller Field to eliminate the defending champion Spartans from the 2022 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Championship.
 
The No. 3 seed Hawks (17-35) advanced to Friday evening’s elimination game against top seed Delaware State. The winner of that game will advance to Saturday’s championship game against Coppin State.
 
The UMES-Norfolk State game will re-air on HBCUGo.tv following the conclusion of the UMES-Delaware State game.
 
The Spartans got a two-run single from Tanner Brandon in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead, but the Hawks answered with four runs in the bottom of the frame. Sac flies from Ryan Howe and Alex McCoy tied the game, before Derrick Mayes drove in two with a single to left.
 
Howe had another RBI in the second with a single, and McCoy reached on an error that scored another run to put UMES up 4-2 after two innings. UMES scored twice each in the third and the fourth on a combined three errors, opening a 10-2 lead.
 
Jacob Council doubled in a run in the fifth to cut the lead to 10-3, but the Hawks answered again in the bottom of the frame with a fielder’s choice and a wild pitch, going up 12-3.
 
The Spartans scored in the sixth (RBI groundout) and eighth (sac fly) to cut the lead to its final margin.
 
In all, the Hawks took advantage of seven Norfolk State errors.
 
Mayes, Brian Cordell and Brantley Cutler each had two hits for UMES, and Howe led the way with three RBIs. Mayes added two RBIs.
 
Cameron Bratton struck out six in going the distance and picking up his third win of the season.
 
Norfolk State saw its season end at 15-32.
 
For more on the 2022 MEAC Baseball Championship, please visit the Championship Central page.