BASEBALL
DOVER, Del. — Freshman outfielder-pitcher Thomas Summers (Clearfield) socked a game-winning home run that kept alive Maryland-Eastern Shore’s Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference playoff hopes, but Delaware State dashed them in the nightcap at Soldier Field Sunday.
Summers broke up a 6-6 tie in the fifth inning of the opener with his team-high fourth homer, a two-run shot to left field that propelled the Hawks to a 12-7 victory. He stole home for the Hawks’ last run in the sixth inning.
The Hawks entered the weekend series needing three wins in four games to become the North Division’s third championship tourney qualifier, but they lost 4-1 Saturday and 7-1 in the second game Sunday, making another game unnecessary.
Summers pitched in relief in the finale, summoned in the fifth inning with the bases loaded and no outs and the Hawks down 2-1. He induced a popup, but an error on a potential inning-ending double play grounder gave the Hornets two runs. A two-run single set the final score.
Summers had two of Maryland-Eastern Shore’s four hits Saturday.
Earlier in the week, the Hawks split two non-conference road games at Pitt, losing 9-1 Tuesday and winning 9-6 Wednesday with Summers contributing a run-scoring double.
In 37 games, including 33 starts, Summers has 27 hits for a .241 average with 14 RBIs.
The lefthander has pitched in 13 games, working 15 innings and allowing 14 runs, 11 earned for a 6.60 ERA. He has logged nine strikeouts, walked 12 and hit two.
He has one win in four decisions.
The Hawks finished 7-16 in the MEAC-North and are 16-32 with one game remaining.
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WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — St. Francis freshman Sarah Lash (Clearfield) placed 12th in the javelin and 15th in the hammer throw while junior Rebecca Johnson (Curwensville) finished 15th in the steeplechase at the Northeast Conference Championships at the Central Connecticut State University Track & Field Complex last weekend.
Lash threw the javelin 35.35 meters (115 feet, 11¾ inches) and hurled the hammer 31.55 meters (103 feet, 6 inches).
Johnson posted a season-best 12.44.85 over the 3,000-meter steeplechase course.
The Red Flash were seventh in the 10-team meet with 66 points.