March 21, 2009
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Freshman Taylor Buran delivered a game-winning, pinch-hit single in the bottom of the ninth inning to break a 3-3 tie and give the University of Maryland baseball team a 4-3 victory against Boston College Saturday afternoon at Shipley Field.
With runners on first and second with one out, Boston College pitcher Chris Kowalski was relieved by Mike Belfiore to set up a lefty-lefty matchup with Maryland designated hitter Jensen Pupa. Maryland head coach Terry Rupp countered by sending Buran to the plate.
Buran wasted no time, grounding Belfiore's first pitch into right field. A.J. Casario, who singled with one out to begin the rally, was sent home on the play. Boston College right fielder Barry Butera made an excellent throw home to catcher Tony Sanchez and it appeared Casario was going to be thrown out. But Casario dislodged the ball from Sanchez's mitt on his slide to score the winning run, eliciting a bench-clearing celebration in the infield.
With the win, Maryland evened its overall record at 10-10 and improved to 3-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Boston College fell to 12-6 and 3-3 in conference play.
The Eagled scored the first run of the game on a Garret Smith RBI single in the top of the second inning.
Boston College's lead did not last long, though. Left fielder Gerry Spessard delivered a two-out, two-run single for the Terps in the bottom half of the inning, putting Maryland up 2-1.
Sanchez evened the score in the top of the third inning, fouling off several Scott Swinson pitches to lead off the frame, before finally launching a solo home run to center field on the 10th pitch of the at-bat. Brad Zapenas drove in another run in the inning with a bunt groundout.
Swinson settled down from there and the Terps kept the Eagles off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
Maryland eventually tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning on a two-out RBI double off starting pitcher John Leonard. Casario scored on the play, but second baseman David Poutier was thrown out at home trying to give the Terps the lead. Murphy's double moved him into ninth place in school history in doubles and eighth all-time in total bases.
Swinson, Leonard and both bullpens combined to keep the score tied at 3-3 heading into the ninth inning.
With two outs in the top of the ninth, Boston College threatened to re-take the lead. Andrew Lawrence singled and then Murphy misplayed a Sanchez ground ball to third, putting runners at second and third with two outs. With the game in the balance, Ian Schwalenberg came out of the Terps' bullpen to replace Dan Gentzler and face Mickey Wiswall.
Schwalenberg got the job done, getting Wiswall to ground out to first base for the final out.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Casario and Poutier hit back-to-back singles to set the table for Buran's heroics.
Schwalenberg earned the victory, his first of the season. Kowalski took the loss, also his first of the year.
Swinson gave Maryland seven strong innings, allowing three runs on five hits.
The Terps out-hit the Eagles, 15-7. Casario and Poutier led the Terps' bats, contributing three hits apiece at the top of the order.
The rubber game of the series is set for 1 p.m. Sunday. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Eric Potter will be on the mound for Maryland and will face Mike Dennhardt.
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