Feb. 26, 2005

Final Stats

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - Ben Pfinsgraff (3-0, 1.42 ERA) was dominant in winning his third straight decision, and the Terp offense put five runs across in the fourth inning to spark a 7-1 Maryland victory over Towson on Saturday. Pfinsgraff (7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 9 K) had a no-hitter through 5.2 innings and struck out a season-high nine batters to move to 3-0 on the season.

An early pitching duel between Pfinsgraff and Towson starter Chris Rhoades turned into a Maryland offensive outburst in the fourth inning, as the Terps pounded out five hits and took a 5-0 lead. Maryland would never trail behind Pfinsgraff and freshman Ryan Moorer, who combined to give up one unearned run on three hits and a walk.

Pfinsgraff was flawless through his first five innings of work, allowing just one base runner on a fourth-inning throwing error by Joe Palumbo. The junior right-hander was around the plate all day, throwing 74 of his 88 pitches for strikes and striking out nine Towson batters in seven innings.

The Maryland offense also put together a consistent effort, with all nine starters reaching base at least once, led by the tandem of Justin Maxwell and Jordan Wilson. The two juniors hit third and fourth in the Maryland lineup and went a combined 5-for-7 with four runs scored.

The Maryland bats got going in the fourth inning, with Justin Maxwell and Jordan Wilson each hitting singles to start the inning. Will Frazier followed with a fly ball to left field to move Maxwell to third, and Brian Jarosinski brought Maxwell with an RBI double down the left field line. Jarosinski, who seems to be breaking out of an early season slump, ripped a 3-2 offering from Towson pitcher Chris Rhoades to left for his second RBI of the weekend.

Chad Durakis kept the Maryland rally going with a hard single up the middle, scoring both Wilson and Jarosinski, and Truan Mehl ripped a single through the left side to score Durakis and put the Terps up 4-0. Jason Von Behren dug himself out of an 0-2 hole to walk, and moved to third and scored on back-to-back wild pitches by Chris Rhoades. The Terps put up five runs in the inning, giving Maryland starter Ben Pfinsgraff a 5-0 cushion through four innings.

The Terps got on the board again in the seventh inning, with Justin Maxwell blasting his third home run of the season and Chad Durakis picking up his third RBI of the day with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Maxwell turned on a first-pitch offering from Towson reliever Brian Brewer and put it well over the 25-foot left field wall in left field. Maxwell had another great day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs, an RBI, a walk and a stolen base. For the season, Maxwell has a team-best three home runs, eight walks and five steals.

Maryland returns to action tomorrow against the host College of Charleston, with the game's first pitch being slated for 2 p.m. Charleston beat Towson 5-0 on Friday and plays Le Moyne in today's second game. The Terps will open their home season on a newly-renovated Shipley Field Wednesday at 4 p.m. against Towson.