March 2, 2003

Box Score

Norfolk, Va. - The Maryland Terrapins (2-4, 0-0 ACC) wrapped up a two-day, three-game series in Norfolk, Va., with a big win, drowning Binghamton (3-2, 0-0 America East) in just a five-inning game.

The Terps played well in all aspects of the game, pounding out eight runs on eight hits (five of which were for extra bases), striking out nine and playing flawless defense.

Fireball reliever Steve Schmoll (Rockville, Md.) was dominant, striking out the first five batters he faced and pitching 2.1 innings to earn the win. In six innings this season, Schmoll has struck out 12 batters.

Outfielders Justin Maxwell (Olney, Md.) and Daryl Whitmer (Waldorf, Md.) both showed signs of breaking out of their early season slumps. Whitmer crushed a home run on the first pitch he saw, while Maxwell went 2-for-2 with a double and RBI.

A one-hour and 20 minute rain delay interrupted Binghamton's bases loaded, 2-out situation in the top of the third, and, with another game scheduled at Virginia Wesleyan field soon after, threatened to cancel the game.

But the rain cleared, and Schmoll struck out slugger T.J. Kowalchuk to end the inning.

From that point on, Schmoll and the Terps cruised, tacking on three more runs in the bottom of the inning on a two-run single by Joe Sargent (Chesapeake Beach, Md.) and a double by Maxwell, followed by Ray Gemmill's (Silver Spring, Md.) second home run of the year in the next inning.

Starter Jared Stuart, removed because of the length of the rain delay, also pitched well, giving up two hits and striking out four in 2.2 innings.

Regardless of the where they play, the Terps have been plagued with bad weather since returning from a season-opening series in Florida. Four home games were cancelled due to a snowstorm, and Sunday's rain delay almost made it five.

Overall, the three game series against Binghamton consisted of just 20 innings.

NOTES: Shortstop Kyle George (Bel Air, Md.) missed the game due to flu-like symptoms...The Terps are now 0-4 at neutral sites this year...Reliever Matt Basinger (Connellsville, Pa.) is two appearances away from tying Tom Curtiss (1996-1999) for fifth on the all-time appearance list.