March 25, 2007
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - After two straight wins to open the weekend, the Maryland baseball team fell short in its bid for its first-ever three-game sweep against No. 6 Clemson as the Terrapins were defeated Sunday, 5-0.
On a sparkling day at Shipley Field, Maryland (16-8, 5-4 ACC) was unable to dent the scoreboard as the Tigers (15-7, 4-2), paced by starter David Kopp's seven scoreless innings, pitched a combined shutout for the fourth time this season. Kopp (3-2) earned his third win of the year, while the Terps' junior starter Kevin Biringer (2-4) was tagged with the loss.
Unlike the first two games of the weekend, it was the Tigers who struck first on Sunday, as they scored three runs in the second inning to build a comfortable lead early. Third baseman Marquez Smith singled to right field to score leadoff hitter Andy D'Alessio for the game's first run. Second baseman J.D. Burgess and center fielder Brad Chalk added a pair of RBI singles in the inning to give Clemson a 3-0 lead.
Biringer, who allowed half of his 10 hits in the second, would hold the Tigers offense at bay until the sixth inning, when Clemson notched two more runs after capitalizing on three Terrapin errors.
After leadoff man Ben Paulsen singled, right fielder Alex Burg reached on a fielding error by third baseman Mike Murphy. In the next at-bat, first baseman Gerry Spessard was unable to make the throw to first on a bunt as Paulsen scored on the play. Chalk then reached base after catcher Chad Durakis was called for interference at the plate. The final run of the day came on a slow-moving groundout by catcher Doug Hogan with the bases loaded in the inning, which scored Burg..
D.J. Mitchell and Daniel Moskos combined for two perfect innings of relief for the Tigers, while junior relievers Brad Taylor and Mike Sufczynski threw three scoreless innings for the Terps.
Clemson's victory prevented a first-ever three-game sweep by the Terrapins, who last took two from the Tigers in 2003.
Maryland will prepare for its road series at ACC foe Georgia Tech next weekend with two midweek home games. The Terps will host the College of William & Mary Tuesday, followed by Coppin State on Wednesday. Both games are free admission and set to start at 5 p.m. at Shipley Field.
