Maryland
MIAMI*
Maryland Takes Down No. 14 Miami, 5-4
3/25/2006 7:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 25, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - For the second time in four days, the Maryland Terrapins (10-14, 4-7 ACC) snapped an opponent's 16-game winning streak, as the Terps came from behind to defeat No. 14 Miami, 5-4, on Saturday night at Shipley Field. Ben Pfinsgraff threw seven strong innings and Brett Cecil came on in the eighth to pick up the win for Maryland, which improved to 7-2 in one-run games.
After halting No. 25 James Madison's 16-game win streak with a 6-5 win on Wednesday, the Terps used a dramatic eighth-inning rally to ensure a similar fate for the Hurricanes, who hadn't lost since Feb. 19. Maryland also handed Miami its first ACC loss of the season after the team started 7-0 in league play.
Down a run heading into the bottom of the eighth, the Terps rallied against Miami closer, Chris Perez. Following a leadoff walk to first baseman Gerry Spessard, pinch hitter Joe Palumbo attempted to sacrifice the runner into scoring position. After laying down a perfect bunt just in front of the mound, Perez's throw grazed off the glove of second baseman Jemile Weeks covering first, allowing Palumbo to reach second and Spessard to score to make it 4-4. A wild pitch placed the sophomore on third, and, after an infield hit by Mike Murphy, Maryland had runners on the corners. With one down, Dan Benick hit a ground ball to short that looked like it could have been converted into an inning-ending double play. But the ball was muffed, and everyone was safe as Palumbo raced in to put Maryland up for good, 5-4. Cecil (4-2) pitched a perfect ninth en route to the victory.
Pfinsgraff was in control early on, keeping the prolific Miami lineup at bay with good velocity, excellent command and effective breaking pitches. After yielding just one hit and striking out four through the first three innings, the senior worked out of some trouble in the top of the fourth. Weeks singled, stole second and advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt with just one away. Following a walk to the Hurricanes' cleanup hitter, Yonder Alonso, Pfinsgraff induced Danny Valencia into an inning-ending double play, as the Terps kept Miami scoreless through four. On the evening, the 6-foot right-hander from Annapolis tossed 7.0 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits.
Maryland opened the scoring in the bottom of the frame. With one out, Spessard tripled to right field, bringing up designated hitter Jon Greenwich. Down 0-2 in the count, the junior from McLean, Va. laced a single up the middle to plate Spessard and give Maryland a 1-0 lead. For Spessard, his ACC-leading fifth triple of the season moved him into a tie for first place on Maryland's single season list in that category. The redshirt freshman from Hagerstown, Md. joins five other Terps with their names atop the school record books, including Matt Swope, who was the most recent player to accomplish the feat in 2002.
Miami took the lead in the sixth off Pfinsgraff. With one down, center fielder John Jay singled and Alonso walked. Both runners then moved up on a controversial balk call that brought head coach Terry Rupp out of the dugout to argue. A single to right by Valencia was mishandled by Benick, as both runs came across for Miami. After moving all the way around to third on the error, Valencia scored on a sacrifice fly to put Miami ahead, 3-1.
Maryland would rally, tying things up in the bottom of the seventh. Murphy and Nick Jowers started the inning with consecutive base hits. After coming up empty on two bunt offerings, Benick lined a single into left, loading the bases with no out and chasing starter Manny Miguelez from the ballgame. Shortstop Steve Braun drove in the first run on a sacrifice fly to center, but Jowers, who was trying to advance on the play, as well, was gunned down at third, leaving Maryland with a man on second and two away. Next up was Matt Maropis, who hit an infield single to short. But, thinking he might still be able to get the speedy left fielder, Walter Diaz rushed a throw to first and the ball ended up getting past Alonso. Benick came home on the error, tying the game at three.
The Hurricanes took the lead back in the top of the eighth. After doubling to left off the new pitcher Cecil and moving to third on a base hit, Alonso came home on a passed ball to put Miami back ahead, 4-3.
The rubber match of the series will take place on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. Freshman left-hander John Dischert will start for Maryland against Scott Maine.
