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Feb. 24, 2008
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - What was scheduled to be a double header on opening day for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) turned into one seven inning game today as the Hawks dropped a 9-1 decision to Rider University in the season opener for both teams. The day was scheduled to start at noon but the wet field conditions turned two games into one that didn't start until 3:00 p.m. The infield was quite muddy and the UMES (0-1) offense appeared stuck in it as they produced just one run, that coming in the third inning. Sophomore hurler Carl Huber got the ball for the Hawks on opening day and he showed much improvement from last season. Huber, who was used primarily as a closer last year, was known to struggle with his control. This season however, his control was much improved; but a patient Bronc offense and seemingly tight strike zone forced Huber to throw 85 pitches, 47 for strikes in just three innings of work. He would take the loss for UMES, allowing five earned runs, three walks and record one strike out. Rider (1-0) jumped on Huber in the first inning taking a 1-0 lead after Huber forced the first two batters to ground out to third. They would plate four more in the third inning, all coming with two outs on the board. The two-out offense would continue for the Broncs as all nine runs would score with two outs on the board. They posted two runs in the fourth and one in the fifth off of Hawk junior reliever Elliott Arrington who allowed just one earned in three innings of work while striking out a pair. Senior Dan Sterling would work the final inning allowing one unearned run and one hit. UMES made three errors on the day. Offensively the Hawks posted just four hits. Two came in the third when left-fielder Tyler Love singled to the shortstop and reached second on a throwing error by John Ralston. Remo Orsini would single to left center and put Love on third base. After Orsini stole second, Josh Dunham would hit the ball sharply to third base and the Rider third baseman, Mason Heyne, would try to tag Love who left on the contact. Love would effectively avoid the tag from Heyne and when the throw went to the catcher Love slid across home plate for the lone Hawk run. Ryan Coppi would collect a single through the left side in the sixth inning and senior Ken Richardson would single to left in the seventh inning to account for the other two Hawk hits. The bottom of the order, Richardson who batted sixth, Love, who batted eighth and Orsini who batted ninth, accounted for three of the four hits and scored the lone run. "I was pleasantly surprised by the bottom of the order," said Head Coach William Gardner. "We know they are very capable ball players but I was really hoping for more offense out of the top or the order," he added. Rider starter Mike Petrowski was the reason for the limited Hawk offense as he picked up the win, going six innings, allowing the one unearned run, striking out seven and allowing no walks. He threw just 81 pitches, 57 for strikes, in his six innings of work. The line-up featured six new players for the Hawks who are dealing with the loss of eight regular starters. Richardson is the only returning starter while Love and Derrick Baker, who served as designated hitter, were the two holdovers from last season that saw any significant time. For Rider, centerfielder Jon Leise and catcher Sean Olson were both three for three at the plate. Leise scored twice while Olson crossed the dish three times. Six other Brons collected one hit apiece while five posted one RBI each. Ralston posted a pair or RBI. The two teams are scheduled to face off again tomorrow at Hawks Stadium beginning at 10:30 a.m. with hopes of getting in two games if weather permits. |
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