BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut – The University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team held strong for a win at Sacred Heart University on Sunday, March 26. After jumping out to a three-run lead after three innings, the pitching staff delivered an excellent performance in the 4-1 win that moves the Hawks to 5-18 (3-6 NEC).
 
It didn't take the Hawks long for the Hawks to get a few runs on the board, grabbing their first following a leadoff single by Derrick Mayes II. Brantley Cutler hit into a grounder to advance Mayes to third and he was then driven in by a double by Ryan Howe down the left field line.
 
The offense continued in the second with a Brian Cordell double and sacrifice bunt by Luke Myers to move him over. It was a solid decision to give up the out, as Kyle Cincinnati delivered an RBI single up the middle that gave the Hawks a 2-0 lead.
 
"The mindset didn't change at all (from Friday)," interim head coach Shawn Phillips said. "Go in and see a good pitch to hit – which we did early in the game. We got some sacrifices down, some runners on second, we had good base hits when we needed them."
 
Cutler continued his hot hitting in the third with a leadoff double and eventually made his way to third following a passed ball, then scored on Alex McCoy legging out an infield single.
 
Both sides were silent on the offensive end until the seventh inning when Riley Horner led off with a walk and Mayes reached on an error. The Pioneers decided to intentionally walk Cutler to load the bases but immediately after Howe drove in Horner from third on a sacrifice fly making it a 4-0 game.
 
Sacred Heart was able to grab one back in the bottom of the inning thanks to a leadoff double and a single to advance the runner – Cincinnati would gun down the Pioneer who singled, his 12^th caught stealing of the season. A simple groundout would give SHU their first run of the game and caused the Hawks to make a call to the pen, ending Nibblett's phenomenal outing.
 
The Pioneers would eventually load the bases against reliever Porter Braddy, but the Hawks were never in trouble as Nick Gatton had a clutch appearance out of the pen, coming in and working a full count strikeout against the Pioneers to preserve the Hawks 4-1 lead.
 
"It was a huge spot for him," Phillips said. "He came into a tough situation, striking that guy out and battling – he did what I asked him to do."
 
Caden Parker would come in to pitch for the Hawks in the bottom of the eighth, causing some drama himself by loading the bases and escaping the jam, then shutting the door in the ninth for his fifth save of the season.
 
"I told him going in that if we're up in the eighth and ninth that he's got the eighth and ninth," Phillips said. "I had to go with him, he made it interesting, but we hung on and got the win."
 
Starter Evan Nibblett cruised through much of his outing, giving the Hawks 6.2 innings of one run ball, striking out two and allowing just four hits.
 
"He didn't have his best stuff and he still gutted out almost seven innings, that's all you can ask for," Phillips said. "He put the ball in play, and we played good defense, it's a gutty performance for him."
 
Cutler once again led the way for the Hawks at the plate over the weekend, hitting .583/.615/.750 with two doubles and four RBIs. Mayes also hit two doubles with an RBI and Luke Myers shook off his slump with three hits in nine at bats. In an only hit doubles mood since Friday, Howe smacked three to drive in four runners.
 
On the mound, Nibblett and fellow starter Noah Covington had great appearances, with 1.35 and 2.57 game ERAs during their starts. Parker threw three strong innings over two calls from the pen, Gatton also pitched in two games while allowing just one earned over 2.2 innings.
 
There's no midweek for the Hawks in week seven, the squad will save their energy for a home stretch of seven games over nine days as Merrimack, Mount St. Mary's and Coppin will all be visiting starting Friday (March 31).
 
Follow the action on Twitter via @ESHawksBase.