March 15, 2009
Box Score
RALEIGH, N.C. -
After a third straight day of heavy rain in the Raleigh, N.C., area, Sunday's scheduled baseball doubleheader between Maryland and NC State seemed in doubt. After a three-hour delay, however, the rain held off enough for ACC baseball to take place.
The change in weather proved fortunate for Maryland, as the Terrapins limited the Wolfpack to one run on seven hits in the first game of the doubleheader, winning 3-1 at Doak Field for their first Atlantic Coast Conference win of the season, as well as their first road win.
Maryland starting pitcher Matt Fullerton and NC State hurler Jake Buchanan engaged in a pitchers duel for the first five innings of the game, with both blanking the opponent.
Fullerton tossed a scoreless 5 1/3 frames before being pulled for Brett Harman. With two outs and no one on base in the bottom of the sixth, the Wolfpack broke through first. Kyle Wilson doubled to deep center field and first baseman Harold Riggins singled up the middle.
Maryland (7-8, 1-4 ACC) answered back quickly in the top of the seventh, though, after missing out on some earlier scoring opportunities.
Center fielder Dan Benick lined a leadoff double into the right-center field gap to start the rally. After a strikeout, shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez blooped a single down the right-field line. Unsure of whether or not the ball would be caught, Benick opted to hold at third base on the single. However, right fielder Drew Poulk threw home anyway, and his throw got by catcher Chris Schaeffer, allowing Benick to score and advance Rodriguez to second.
Leadoff batter A.J. Casario then gave the Terps the lead with a sharp single to center field. After a David Poutier single, Buchanan was relieved by southpaw John Lambert. With runners on the corners and no outs, catcher Will Greenberg hit a potential double-play ball to second base. However, the relay throw to first base went wide and Casario came home with the Terps' third run of the game.
Terps reliever Dan Gentzler brought home the victory from there. Gentzler retired the first eight batters he faced, before allowing back-to-back singles with one out in the bottom of the ninth. Gentzler stayed tough, though, inducing back-to-back ground-ball outs to seal the victory.
With the win, Gentzler improved to 2-1 on the season. Buchanan took the loss, allowing three runs on 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings with six strikeouts.
Mike Murphy tied a career high with three hits in the game. Benick and Rodriguez each added two hits for the Terps.
NC State dropped to 9-7 and 2-3 in the ACC.
The second game of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at approximately 8 p.m., as the ACC's rule on not starting a game after 6 p.m. on a Sunday has been lifted.
-TERPS-
