Feb. 26, 2008

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland baseball lost its home opener to in-state rival Towson at a cold and wet Shipley Field this afternoon, 11-6.

The Terps (1-3) led the Tigers (2-1) 5-3 after four innings, but Towson scored six runs in the top of the fifth to build a four-run lead it would not relinquish.

Maryland loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the first inning and scored runs on a bases-loaded walk and bases-loaded balk to go up 2-0. Towson went ahead 3-2 in the top of the second before the Terps re-took the lead in the fourth.

With two outs and two men on base in the fourth, senior outfielder Nick Jowers (Beltsville, Md./DeMatha Catholic) drilled a two-run double to left field. Senior Chad Durakis (Cockeysville, Md./St. Pauls) followed with an RBI double of his own.

With the bases loaded with two outs and the scored tied at five in the top of the fifth, Maryland reliever Brett Tidball (Bethesda, Md./Georgetown Prep) appeared to have struck out Towson designated hitter Chris Wychock to end the inning, but his 2-2 pitch just missed the corner. On the very next pitch, Wychock doubled off the center-field wall, just missing a grand slam, but clearing the bases, nonetheless.

The Terps scored their sixth run in the bottom of the sixth on a solo home run to center field off the bat of Joe Palumbo (Bowie, Md./DeMatha Catholic).

Drew Permison (1-0) picked up the win for the Tigers while senior Mike Sufczynski (0-1) (Darnestown, Md./St. John's) took the loss for the Terps.

Jason Stifler and Austin Harclerode also homered for Towson.

Palumbo, Jowers and Steve Braun (Granada Hills, Calif./Pierce CC) each had two hits for Maryland.

Maryland is back in action at 3 p.m. Friday for the first of a four-game weekend series against the Hofstra Pride at Shipley Field.

-TERPS-