BALTIMORE – The Lady Eagles soared in a come from behind 3-2 win over Maryland Eastern Shore in game one of a double header on Friday, March 25^th. CSU had three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning notching their first win of the season.

The Lady Hawks of UMES began the game with a triple to center field and led 1-0 early in the first inning. Later in the sixth inning, UMES took a 2-0 lead with a pair of hits. Throughout the first six innings CSU had only five hits and were held scoreless by the UMES defense. With their backs against the wall at home the Lady Eagles rallied from behind in an exciting seventh inning.

Infielder Danielle Smith sparked the Lady Eagles seventh inning with a double to right center field. Prior to catcher Shelby Mendoza drawing a walk, Smith advanced to third base on a passed ball by the UMES defense. CSU's first run of the game came off an RBI single to right field by outfielder Alanna Williams scoring Smith. Next, Mendoza tied the game at 2-2 on a wild pitch crossing home plate.

The Lady Eagles battled back and evened the score while still having a runner in scoring position. CSU outfielder Alisha Esqueda knocked in the game winning run with a sacrifice fly out to center field, sending Williams home for the Lady Eagles first win of the season, 3-2. Coppin State scored three runs in the final inning off of two hits.        

Coppin State finished with seven hits paced by Alanna Williams. Williams went 3-for-4 at the plate with a team season-high two double base hits. She added one RBI and one run scored. Danielle Smith also doubled in game one against UMES and had the Lady Eagles only stolen base.

Pitcher Megan Narvaez tossed a complete seven inning game picking up her first collegiate victory. Narvaez struck out three batters, walked three, and gave up nine hits.

In game two Coppin State had a 1-0 lead after the first inning. Smith led the inning off with a single to third base and then stole second base. Two batters later, Smith scored the first run of the game on an RBI double to left center field by Williams.

UMES came back with a pair of runs in the second inning and then tacked on five runs in the fourth jumping out to a 7-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, pitcher Melanie Benge singled to center field for an RBI sending Esqueda home for their second run of the game. The Lady Hawks defense kept CSU without a run the rest of the way and won 7-2 splitting day one of the weekend series.

Melanie Benge struck out a team season-best five Lady Hawks in four innings of service. Both Alanna Williams and Danielle Smith recorded doubles finishing 2-for-4 at the plate. Alisha Esqueda singled along with Benge as the Lady Eagles finished with six hits.

The Lady Eagles and Lady Hawks will play a single game ending their weekend series on Saturday, March 26^th at 12 p.m. at the CSU Softball Field.