Feb. 16, 2007

Box Score

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Maryland baseball team scored 16 runs on 17 hits as it exploded to a series-opening victory at University of Central Florida, 16-4. The Terrapins improve to 3-1 for the second time in three seasons, while the Golden Knights drop to 2-4 on the season.

Senior Casey Baron earned his first win of the season in his second start, while Mitch Houck takes the loss. All nine Maryland starters reached base on the day, as the Terps capitalized on numerous defensive miscues by UCF throughout the contest.

The Terps opened the scoring quickly as a Chad Durakis bloop single to center in the top of the first inning scored AJ Casario, who singled to right and then advanced two bases on a wild pitch from Houck, one of his four. UCF threatened in the bottom half as the Golden Knights' leadoff hitter, Dwayne Bailey, advanced all the way to third but could not cross the plate as a double play ended the inning with no damage done.

Durakis added to Maryland's lead two innings later when he doubled to left field, scoring Dan Melvin to give the Terps a 2-0 advantage. Two more runs crossed the plate in the third when a fielding error at third on a hard hit ball by Dan Benick with the bases loaded increased Maryland's lead to 4-0.

Houck was replaced on the mound to begin the fourth inning, and his replacement, Derek Abriola, immediately surrendered a leadoff home run to Joe Palumbo, the first of the sophomore outfielder's career. Maryland capitalized on the Golden Knights' defensive struggles when Mike Murphy took second on a two-base fielding error by the second baseman. Murphy scored later in the inning on a single by Melvin, giving the Terps a 6-0 lead. The Terrapins' scoring barrage in the fourth continued when Melvin and Gerry Spessard each crossed the plate for an 8-0 lead.

After a scoreless fifth, the Terrapins added another run to their tally when a Benick double scored the leadoff hitter in Durakis, giving Maryland a 9-0 lead.

Baron held the Golden Knights at bay for five scoreless innings, but gave up four runs in the bottom half of the sixth, three of them earned. He finished the day with four runs (three earned) on nine hits in six innings pitched.

Maryland responded in the seventh with three runs, as Benick doubled off the left field wall and scored on Spessard's single to the shortstop. Two more Terrapins came home when Steve Braun singled to right center, scoring Spessard and Nick Jowers, making the lead 12-4.

Mike Sufczynski made his second appearance of the season in the seventh, and he quickly retired the side in order. He finished the day with two perfect innings, striking out two batters.

In the eighth, Maryland increased its lead with four runs, three of which coming on a fielding error by Tyson Auer with the bases loaded.

The Terps will seek their first 4-1 start in 20 seasons when they will battle the Golden Knights tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m. from Jay Bergman Field