May 8, 2007
Box Score
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - In the Maryland baseball team's final non-conference action of the season, senior Dan Melvin put the Terrapins ahead with a three-run blast to center field in the fourth inning, leading his team to a 6-3 victory against West Virginia on Tuesday evening at Shipley Field.
The Terps (26-27), seeking retribution after a 13-2 loss to the Mountaineers (25-19) in Morgantown nearly three weeks earlier, knotted the game at two in the third inning, then took a sizeable lead in the fourth on Melvin's home run, his team-leading seventh of the year.
Freshman right hander Ian Schwalenberg (3-0) picked up the win after starting and hurling four innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out four batters in a predetermined split. Mountaineer starter Levi Maxwell took the loss, while junior Brad Taylor earned his second save of the year after a scoreless ninth inning.
Sophomores Mike Murphy and Mike Moss each recorded a pair of hits in the contest to pace the Terrapin offense. For WVU, Justin Jenkins was 3-for-4, including a home run in the first inning.
Jenkins's homer opened the scoreboard with two outs in the first inning, as he sent a Schwalenberg pitch over the wall for his ninth home run of the season. Jordon Yost repeated the feat an inning later, giving the Mountaineers a 2-0 lead.
From there, the Terrapins took control of the game. A two-run third inning leveled the score, as a sacrifice bunt by junior Steve Braun moved two runners into scoring position. The play proved crucial for the Terps, as a wild pitch by Maxwell allowed leadoff man Nick Jowers to score.
Murphy then knocked a double to right center field to bring home Melvin and tie the score at 2-2.
In the fourth inning, Melvin put the Terrapins ahead for good when with two outs, he lined a Maxwell pitch beyond the center field fence to score three runs.
After West Virginia responded with a run in the fifth on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly, Maryland answered right back with an RBI single from sophomore Dan Benick, allowing Murphy to score after his double led off the frame.
Three Terps relievers then held the Mountaineers scoreless through the end of the game, as senior Casey Baron, junior Mike Sufczynski and Taylor combined for just three hits in the final four innings.
Maryland will not take the field again until May 18, as the Terps prepare to hit the books for final exams. Following the break, they will host ACC foe North Carolina to end the regular season. Game time next Friday is set for 7 p.m., with a 1 p.m. doubleheader set for Saturday, May 19.
