April 17, 2007
Box Score
BALTIMORE, Md. - The Maryland baseball team used a six-run third inning to fuel an 11-6 non-conference victory against UMBC Tuesday afternoon at the Baseball Factory Field. Maryland improved to 21-18, while the Retrievers fell to 8-22. With the win, the Terps earned the season series sweep despite being out-hit by a 13-10 margin.
Senior southpaw Casey Baron (4-3) picked up the win after pitching two scoreless innings in relief, striking out five batters. UMBC starter Sean Rae (0-2) took the loss, while junior Brad Taylor earned his first save of the season, pitching the final two innings.
Four Terrapin batters each recorded a pair of hits, while the Retriever offense was powered by center fielder Mike Schieffel, who went 4-for-5 on the day.
The Terps struck first in the top of the second inning, when junior Joe Palumbo's base hit up the middle scored classmate Nick Jowers, but the Retrievers quickly responded to gain the lead. Catcher Tom Meaney's two-run home run to left center gave UMBC a 2-1 lead.
UMBC's lead was short-lived, though, as Maryland plated six runs in the top of the third inning to take a 7-2 advantage. The first seven batters of the inning reached base in the inning, with three RBI singles by Gerry Spessard, Chad Durakis, and Dan Benick along with a bases-loaded walk issued to Jowers scored the first four runs. A sacrifice fly by Palumbo closed out the scoring for the inning.
Retrievers second baseman Joe Fowler cut the gap to three when he blasted a two-run homer to center field in the bottom half of the third. In the fifth inning, a fielding error by Spessard allowed the fifth UMBC run to score, as leadoff man Steve Bowen doubled to left to open the inning.
Senior Dan Melvin matched the offensive fireworks in the top of the sixth inning, when he carried a ball deep over the center field fence to expand Maryland's lead to 8-5.
After Spessard's single up the middle scored Melvin, Durakis put an exclamation point on the Terps' afternoon when he blasted a two-run shot over the left field fence.
Maryland returns home tomorrow to face another in-state rival, as the Terps battle Maryland-Eastern Shore in their final game at Shipley Field before beginning a seven-game road swing. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
