SALISBURY, Md. (April 16, 2023)--After dropping its first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) series of the season, following a doubleheader loss the day before, the Morgan State softball team took out its frustration on Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in the series finale on Sunday.
 
Morgan State would put together its biggest scoring output of the season, as it scored 17 runs on 11 hits, defeating the host Hawks, 17-0 in five innings at Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex.
 
The Lady Bears improved to 21-17 overall, 11-3 in the MEAC, while UMES fell to 12-20, 8-5 MEAC.
 
Offensively, Morgan State's bats came alive, as it finished with 17 runs on 11 hits, had eight walks and recorded 13 RBI. Eight different Lady Bears recorded a hit. Melissa Paz led the way, going 2-for-4 with a game-high 4 RBI, while Victoria Fletcher also went 2-for-4 and had 3 RBI. Nia Lewis finished 2-for-2 with two runs and Asia Thomas scored a game-high three runs. Sarah Tuzinski drew a game-high four walks.
 
Leading 2-0 after the first inning, the Lady Bears blew the game open with a six-run second inning, highlighted by a three-run doubled down the left field line hit by Paz to make it an 8-0 game.
 
Anaya Hunte picked up the win to improve to 13-8 on the season. The junior pitcher allowed four hits and two walks, while striking out two in five innings.
 
The Hawks' Ameenah Ballenger fell to 7-10, after surrendering 14 runs on nine hits, while walking six batters and throwing three strikeouts in 4.1 innings.
 
The Lady Bears will return home to host George Washington in a non-conference game on Wednesday, April 19 at 2 p.m. at Lois T. Murray Field.