The University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team split a doubleheader against Hampton, losing the first game 7-0, but rebounding for a 5-3 win in Game 2. In the decisive second game, a four-run rally in the seventh inning led by Paige Perkins, who hit a home run and contributed key RBIs, propelled the Hawks to victory after struggling in Game 1 with no hits and 14 allowed by their pitchers.

By the Numbers
  • Last hitless game for UMES occurred in 2001 against Stony Brook.
  • Paige Perkins recorded her first multi-hit game and her second home run of the season.
  • Emily Gunther's batting average increased to .346 after nine hits in the last 10 games.
  • Gabriella Beltran achieved her second multi-RBI game with two RBIs in Game 2.
State of Play
  • UMES stands at 9-20 overall, with a conference record of 1-5 following the doubleheader.
  • The team heads into a match against Morgan State, seeking to build on the momentum from their Game 2 victory.
What's Next

The Hawks will face Morgan State in a key conference doubleheader on March 28 and a finale on March 29. If they can carry their recent hitting improvements into this series, they have a strong chance to improve their conference standing.

Bottom Line

The split in the doubleheader highlights both the challenges and potential of the UMES softball team. With key players like Paige Perkins and Emily Gunther stepping up, the Hawks are poised to use this momentum to secure crucial wins in their upcoming series against Morgan State.