April 5, 2008
Box Score
BLACKSBURG, Va. -
The University of Maryland baseball team scored four first-inning runs and survived a brief Virginia Tech scare in the middle innings to roll to a 13-8 victory at a rainy English Field Saturday night.
For the second consecutive game, the Terps (17-14, 4-10 ACC) scored four first-inning runs. Third baseman Mike Murphy (Silver Spring, Md./Georgetown Prep) got things started with a solo home run to right-center field off Hokies starter David Cross. It was Murphy's team-leading eighth home run of the season and second in as many games. Left fielder Gerry Spessard (Hagerstown, Md./Smithsburg) added three more later in the frame with a three-run shot to right field, a no-doubter.
The Terps seemed to be cruising, up 8-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth, but the Hokies (11-19, 1-13 ACC) staged a rally, partially due to Maryland starting pitcher Jensen Pupa (Germantown, Md./Northwest) having to leave the game due to a shoulder injury.
Virginia Tech scored four runs to turn a six-run deficit into a two-run deficit and make things interesting.
Despite leaving the mound due to injury, Pupa remained in the lineup as the designated hitter and Pupa added two runs in the top of the fifth with a two-run double down the right field line.
However, the Hokies got two of their own in the bottom of the frame to keep the score within two at 10-8.
As the game progressed into the sixth inning, the sky opened up and rain began to pelt the field. However, there was never a delay.
With the weather worsening by the minute, the play on the field calmed down as Terps relief pitcher Mike Sufczynski (Darnestown, Md./St. John's) restored order.
With Sufczynski in control on the mound, the Terps added three key insurance runs in the late innings. Pupa had an RBI single in the seventh and the Terps added two more in the ninth on a throwing error and a wild pitch.
Sufczynski earned his second win in as many appearances to move to 2-1 on the year. In five innings of work, Sufczynski allowed only one hit and retired 13 of the last 14 batters he faced.
Murphy and Pupa finished with three hits apiece, while Spessard and Pupa each had three RBIs.
Maryland's 13 runs and 15 hits were its most in a conference game this season.
Senior Chad Durakis (Cockeysville, Md./St. Paul's) was hit by a pitch for the ninth time this season and 43rd of his career. Durakis is now three shy of the top 20 in NCAA history.
Senior Steve Braun's 10-game hitting came to an end.
The Terps will go for the series victory at 1 p.m. tomorrow afternoon. Kevin Biringer (Albuquerque, N.M./Bradley University) is expected to start for the Terps.
-TERPS-
