SALISBURY, Md. — St. Mary’s College of Maryland suffered a lopsided 28-0 non-conference road loss to No. 12 Salisbury University on Wednesday afternoon at Williams Stadium in a game shortened to seven innings. The Seahawks fell to 9-18 overall while the host Sea Gulls improved to 25-9.
The Seahawks managed just six hits against a deep Salisbury pitching staff that posted the shutout. Eli Shafer, Corey Brown, Will Wilson, DJ Sifford, Brady Campbell and Layne Lesko each recorded one hit for St. Mary’s. Will Wilson added the team’s lone double.
Salisbury jumped on the Seahawks early, scoring four runs in the first inning. The Sea Gulls then erupted for 11 runs in the third inning to seize command. Salisbury added multiple runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to extend the rout. The Sea Gulls collected 19 hits, including three home runs by Jackson Inman, Cole Swift and Max Ehrhardt. Nathan Tondreault and Henry Carbone each doubled while Mickey Haynes and Ethan Ruiz tripled.
St. Mary’s pitching struggled against the potent lineup. Noah Gross took the loss in relief. Aaron Wathen and Eli Shafer led the Seahawks defensively. Game leaders for St. Mary’s included Shafer with two at-bats, one hit; Sifford with two at-bats, one hit; Campbell with one at-bat, one hit; and Brown with two at-bats, one hit.
The game marked a tough non-conference test for the Seahawks as they prepare to shift focus back to United East Conference play. St. Mary’s returns home for a doubleheader against Penn State Abington on Friday, April 24, at the Hawks Nest in St. Mary’s City.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland, located in Southern Maryland, competes in NCAA Division III as part of the United East Conference. The program emphasizes student-athlete development alongside academic excellence at Maryland’s public honors college. Head Coach Bernie Stratchko leads the Seahawks through a competitive regional schedule that includes matchups against strong local programs like Salisbury University.
Salisbury University, based on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, has built one of the top Division III baseball programs in the nation. The Sea Gulls consistently contend for conference titles and national tournament berths. Their deep pitching staff and powerful lineup proved decisive against St. Mary’s.
The Seahawks showed resilience in recent weeks with strong offensive outbursts, including a 15-run performance earlier this season that marked a milestone win for Coach Stratchko. Wednesday’s contest highlighted the challenges of facing ranked opponents on the road. St. Mary’s enters the weekend doubleheader seeking momentum as the regular season winds down.
Southern Maryland baseball fans follow St. Mary’s closely as the only four-year college baseball program in the tri-county area. The Seahawks play a vital role in local athletics, drawing players from St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles counties while competing against regional powers. Home games at the Hawks Nest bring community support to campus events that blend academics and athletics.
Despite the setback, the Seahawks remain focused on conference goals. Friday’s doubleheader against Penn State Abington offers a chance to bounce back at home. Fans can follow updates through the official athletics site at smcmathletics.com.
The lopsided score reflected Salisbury’s offensive depth and pitching dominance. Sea Gulls players drove in runs across the order, with Jackson Inman collecting five RBI and multiple Sea Gulls contributing multi-hit games. Baserunning added pressure as Salisbury stole bases and forced defensive miscues.
St. Mary’s players will use the experience to sharpen skills before conference games. The program continues building toward future success with developing talent from Southern Maryland high schools. Local athletes benefit from the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level without leaving the region.
Wednesday’s game concluded in two hours and 20 minutes with 131 fans in attendance under partly cloudy skies. It served as a measuring stick for St. Mary’s against one of the area’s strongest programs.
