Feb. 25, 2006

Final Stats

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - Centerfielder Nick Jowers had the game-winning RBI double in the eighth inning and left-hander Brett Cecil picked up his second save of the year as the Maryland Terrapins came from behind twice to defeat Jacksonville, 8-7, on Saturday night at Alexander Brest Field. Maryland (2-6) scored a season-high eight runs and had four players turn in multi-hit efforts.

After tying the game with a pair of runs in the seventh, Maryland reclaimed the lead in the top of the eighth. With one away, catcher Chad Durakis laced a single to center and moved into scoring position on a passed ball by Jacksonville. With the runner on second, Jowers doubled to left, trading places with Durakis and giving Maryland the lead at 8-7.

Terrapin closer Cecil entered in the eighth in relief of freshman John Dischert and threw two scoreless innings to earn the save. A sophomore from Dunkirk, Md., Cecil has now equaled his save total from all of last season in just the team's eighth game of 2006. Dischert, who allowed two earned runs in 2.0 innings out of the bullpen, notched the first win of his career.

Maryland took its first lead of the game in the top of the sixth. Shortstop Steve Braun led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by rightfielder Dan Benick. Second baseman Dan Melvin followed with a single to put runners on the corners with one away for first baseman Gerry Spessard. The team leader in slugging percentage doubled to left-center, plating both Terrapins and putting Maryland up, 5-4.

After Jacksonville reclaimed the lead at 7-5 on a Gordie Gronkowski three-run home run, Maryland rallied again to tie the game back up in the top of the seventh.

With one out, leftfielder Wink Nolan tripled to right and then scored on a double to center by Braun to make it 7-6. Looking aggressive on the basepaths, Braun moved to third on a pitch in the dirt by hurler David Yates and then scampered home on a botched intentional walk toss to Melvin that sailed to the backstop to tie the contest up.

Nolan was not done, though, making a critical play in left to preserve the tie in the bottom of the inning. Batting with the bases loaded, Jacksonville's Daniel LePage sent a deep fly ball to left that could have potentially brought in three runs had it fallen in. But Nolan sprinted back to his right and laid out near the foul line to make the diving, over-the-shoulder grab and end the threat.

After falling behind by four early, the Terps rallied to score three runs on four consecutive hits in the fifth. Durakis reached on an infield hit and Jowers singled up the box to put runners on first and second for third baseman Mike Murphy. Down in the count, 0-1, the freshman blasted an offering from starter Tim Brown past the centerfielder, knocking in two runs and ending up on second base for the first extra-base hit of his career. Nolan followed with a base hit up the middle to score Murphy and cut the Dolphin lead to one at 4-3.

Jacksonville sent nine runners to the plate in the first inning, scoring four runs on five hits. Logan James led off with a single, then advanced to second on a base hit by Pete Clifford. Designated hitter Daniel Murphy singled James in to make it three consecutive hits to start the inning for Jacksonville. Starter Ben Pfinsgraff struck out first baseman Gronkowski and Mike Murphy recorded an unassisted force out at third for the second out of the inning. But the Terps could not hold Jacksonville any longer, as Mike McCallister brought in two more runs on a double to left and eventually scored on a Brad Simmons single, making it 4-0, Dolphins.