April 11, 2006

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Facing one of the most difficult schedules in all of college baseball, the Maryland Terrapins are used to taking on the best in the country. They are growing accustomed to knocking off the best, as well. The Terps (15-20) scored in each of the first four innings and shut No. 15 Old Dominion out over the final seven as they defeated the Monarchs, 7-2, on Tuesday night at Shipley Field.

Centerfielder Nick Jowers sparked the Maryland offense all night long, finishing 3-for-4 with three runs, two RBI, a home run, sacrifice bunt and a stolen base from the leadoff spot in the order. Catcher Chad Durakis and third baseman Mike Murphy each went 2-for-4, combining for three doubles, two RBI and a run for the Terps, who handed ODU just its fifth loss in 36 games this year.

Starter Mike Sufczynski (1-1) picked up his first win of the season, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits in 5.2 innings. He was relieved by senior Seth Overbey, who finished the game on the hill for the Terps to earn his first career save. In 3.1 innings, the right-hander from Waldorf, Md. yielded no hits or runs while striking out two and walking one.

Old Dominion's Bryan Hansen (1-2) was charged with the loss after allowing three runs on five hits in three innings of work. He was one of six pitchers to appear for the Monarchs.

Maryland, which has played the sixth toughest schedule in the NCAA, has now beaten a ranked team six times this year, including five victories over top-15 clubs. The Terps have also posted wins over No. 3 North Carolina and No. 25 James Madison on the road and No. 14 Miami and No. 3 Georgia Tech (twice) at Shipley.

Things did not start off pretty for Sufczynski and the Terps. On the third pitch of the game, centerfielder Jimmy Miles sent a leadoff home run over the scoreboard in left to give ODU an early lead.

But Jowers had an answer in the bottom of the inning. Working the count full after falling behind, 0-2, the sophomore belted a pitch from Hansen over the left field fence to tie the game at one. For Jowers, it was his team-leading second homer of the season and the first leadoff shot for the Terps since Elliot Singletary hit one against James Madison on March 16, 2005.

The Monarchs regained the lead in the second when catcher Patrick Nichols, who reached third on a two-base throwing error by Sufczynski, scored on a groundout to short.

Again, Maryland had a rebuttal in its half of the inning. Jordan Wilson doubled to right-center with one away and, after Murphy popped to second, Dan Benick brought the run in on another double to tie things up at two apiece.

Some flashy defense by the Terps helped keep the score tied in the top of the third. With runners on first and third and one away, Dana Arrowood hit a hard groundball up the middle that looked sure to get through the infield and score a run. But shortstop Dan Melvin ranged to his left, made a diving stop and flipped the ball to Joe Palumbo at second, starting an inning-ending double play for Maryland.

The Terps would take advantage, assuming the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Jowers led off with a single and advanced to third on a Durakis double. Melvin then drove the go-ahead run in on a grounder to second to make it a 3-2 game.

Murphy knocked in Wilson from second on a double in the bottom of the fourth to put the Terps up by a pair and Maryland went ahead, 5-2, after an RBI base hit to center by Jowers. Durakis brought home one more on his second double of the game to cap a three-run inning for the Terps.

Maryland added another insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Palumbo scored on an error by shortstop Jesse Schoendienst with two outs.

Overbey was effective out of the bullpen, stranding two inherited runners on base in the sixth before mowing through the Monarch lineup over the next three innings.

Maryland is back in action tomorrow night at Shipley when the Terps welcome James Madison. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.