March 20, 2009

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland starting pitcher Matt Fullerton allowed four runs in the top of the first inning and the Terrapins' baseball team never recovered, losing its series opener against Boston College, 6-2, Friday evening at Shipley Field. It was Maryland's first home loss of the season.

Boston College (12-5, 3-2 ACC) didn't hit the ball particularly hard off Fullerton, but Maryland's southpaw starter could not finish off three 0-2 counts in the inning as the Eagles had four hits in the opening frame.

With runners on first and second with one out, third baseman Mickey Wiswall grounded an RBI single up the middle to put the Eagles up, 1-0. Mike Belfiore added an RBI double, Barry Butera drove in another with a sacrifice bunt and Brad Zepenas also delivered an RBI single up the middle.

After a leadoff single in the top of the second inning, Fullerton was relieved by Brett Jones.

Will Greenberg delivered Maryland's first run with a sacrifice fly in the third inning and third baseman Mike Murphy hit his team-leading fourth home run of the season in the bottom of the eighth. However, that was all the Terps (9-10, 2-5 ACC) could muster against starting pitcher JB MacDonald.

MacDonald earned the win for the Eagles, allowing two runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts. Fullerton took the loss, his first of the season.

Jones gave the Terps a solid relief outing, allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings.

A.J. Casario and Murphy had two hits apiece for Maryland.

Matt Hamlet and Mike Sudol had three hits each to lead the Eagles.

The Terps and Eagles resume the series at 1 p.m. Saturday. The game will be televised live on Raycom Sports as the ACC Game of the Week. Check local listings for details.

-TERPS-