April 7, 2007
Box Score |
Photo Gallery 
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland Terrapins overcame a six-run deficit late but came up just short in their comeback bid as they fell to Wake Forest Saturday at Shipley Field, 8-6. Wake Forest closer Josh Ellis, who picked up his fifth save and second of the series, gave the Demon Deacons (17-16, 6-8 ACC) the series victory over the Terrapins (19-14, 5-9).
Deacons starter Garrett Bullock (3-1) pitched 7.2 innings, allowing 12 hits but holding the Terps scoreless until the eighth inning to earn the win. Maryland starter Ryan Moorer (3-2) allowed seven free passes, three on hit batsmen, as he picked up the loss.
Evan Ochetree and Allan Dykstra each finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs to lead the Wake offense. Six Terrapin batters each recorded two hits, as Maryland out-hit the Deacons 15-8, recording at least one hit in every inning.
With the loss, Maryland dropped its second-straight conference series, and has lost six ACC games in the row, dating back to the series finale against Clemson.
Moorer held the Deacons offense scoreless through two innings, but was rattled in the third inning, walking three batters and hitting two with pitches. Dykstra notched his first RBI of the day with his bases-loaded walk. Tyler Smith repeated the feat two batters later to give Wake a two-run lead. The next batter, Ocheltree drove a triple off the center field wall to clear the bases, making the score 5-0 in favor of the Deacons.
In the sixth inning, Andy Goff singled to right field to score Smith, extending the lead to 6-0.
Maryland made its first mark on the board in the eighth inning, when first baseman Mike Moss singled to left center, scoring Wink Nolan and Mike Murphy. After a pitching change, left fielder Joe Palumbo doubled to right, scoring Moss and Dan Benick to close the gap to 6-4.
Wake Forest responded with a two-run home run by Dykstra in the top half of the ninth inning, as the ball sailed just over the center field fence.
The Terrapin rally in the bottom of the ninth opened on Dan Melvin's double down the left field line. He was followed by Murphy, who reached on an error. Catcher Chad Durakis then doubled to score both runners, moving the Terps within two runs. After Gerry Spessard walked and pinch runner Mike Rozak entered for Durakis, a Benick fielder's choice put runners on the corner with two outs.
Pinch runner Brandon Mise replaced Benick and advanced to second base on a passed ball. But with a full count, Greenberg was called out on strikes to end the game.
Maryland will try to salvage the series tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. when it hosts the Demon Deacons in the series finale.
