May 7, 2008

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland baseball team defeated in-state rival Towson for the first time in three games this season, winning 7-4 Wednesday night at Shipley Field, giving the Terps 28 wins on the season and guaranteeing at least a .500 record for the first time since 2002.

The Terps (28-24) lost the first two meeting against the Tigers (24-24), but got a solid pitching effort from sophomore Scott Swinson (Ellicott City, Md./George Washington University), the team's weekend ace, and the bullpen to avoid the season sweep.

Maryland never trailed in the game. The Terps grabbed a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning on back-to-back home runs from Nick Jowers (Beltsville, Md./DeMatha Catholic) and Jensen Pupa (Germantown, Md./Northwest). Jowers' homer was a two-run shot. It was the fourth time this season the Terps have hit back-to-back home runs.

However, the three-run lead evaporated quickly in the top of the fourth. An RBI double by Matt Collins and two-run triple by Jason Stifler tied the game at three apiece with still no outs in the inning. Swinson did not let the Tigers take the lead, though, getting two infield pop-ups and a fly-out to strand Stifler at third.

Joe Palumbo (Bowie, Md./DeMatha Catholic) delivered a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth inning to put the Terps up 4-3, but the Tigers tied the game again with a run in the top of the sixth.

The Terps took advantage of three Towson errors to score three runs in the bottom of the seventh and take command of the game.

With pinch-runner Mike Rozak (Darnestown, Md./St. John's) at second with no outs, Towson shortstop Chris Wychock booted a ground ball up the middle. The ball got through to center field. Center fielder Kevin Collins' throw home hit Rozak in the leg for an error, allowing Mike Murphy (Silver Spring, Md./Georgetown Prep) to scoot all the way to third on the play.

Murphy later scored from third on a passed ball by Stifler. Up 6-4 with runners at first and second base, AJ Casario (Pine Hill, N.J./Overbrook) hit a routine ground ball back to pitcher Austin Hurd, but Hurd's throw to first was wide to the right, allowing pinch runner Reid Chenworth (Bel Air, Md./Calvert Hall) to score from second for the third run of the inning.

Towson committed six errors total in the game.

Sophomore Nathan Steelman (Hagerstown, Md./Smithsburg) recorded the final out in the top of the seventh inning and that was enough to earn the lefty his first career win and a 1-0 record.

Hurd took the loss for Towson, falling to 1-2.

Senior Brad Taylor (Silver Spring, Md./Good Counsel) pitched two shutout innings for his team-leading fifth save of the season.

Swinson got a no-decision but pitched well, allowing three earned runs in 6 2/3 innings with a career-high nine strikeouts.

Pupa and Casario each had two hits for the Terps, while Kevin Collins had three hits for the Tigers.

Video of the game is available online at ACCSelect.com.

Maryland plays host to North Carolina State this weekend for its final ACC series of the season.

-TERPS-