March 12, 2003

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Virginia Commonwealth quashed any Maryland hopes for revenge by handing the Terps a 6-3 loss today at Shipley Field. The win gives the Rams their 13th victory in a row.

The Terps, who lost to the Rams 16-5 on March 5, kept the game closer this time thanks to 12 strikeouts by starting pitcher Steve Schmoll, the second straight time the senior has reached double-figures in strikeouts this season.

Unfortunately, he also gave up a season-high 11 hits and six runs. Schmoll's strikeout totals remain stellar (36 in 19.2 innings pitched) but he has given up 11 runs combined in his last two starts.

Schmoll was once again plagued by the longball, with the Rams hitting two home runs in the top of the fifth inning. Jose Pabon led off with a shot to center field, followed by a two-run home run to right field by Justin Mattison. Pabon, hitting out of the eighth spot, went 4-for-4 in the game with three RBI.

Maryland answered with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning, loading the bases but only getting runners across on a passed ball and an error by third baseman Anthony Granato.

The inability to drive home baserunners was a theme throughout the game for both teams, with Virginia Commonwealth stranding nine and the Terps leaving 10.

Sophomore slugger Jason Maxey made his first appearance of the season as a pinch-hitter for Jeremy Hunt (Tampa, Fla.) in the fifth inning. Maxey, who had been out following surgery to remove his hamate bone, walked and was 0-for-2 in the game.

The Terps collected just five hits but walked six times. Sophomore Will Frazier, one of the hottest hitters on the team, struck out twice and ended his team-high eight-game hit streak.

Virginia Commonwealth used four pitchers in the game, starting Justin Orenduff but pulling him after a scoreless first inning. Tommy Edelblut (3.1 innings), Cla Meredith (three innings) and Brian Marshall (1.2 innings) all pitched solid for the Rams.

The Terps head into this weekend's series with nationally-ranked Wake Forest winners of two of their last three, with wins coming against Marist and Towson. Pitcher Kyle Sleeth, a candidate for Player of the Year who has won 22 straight starts dating back to 2001, will start on Friday for the Demon Deacons.