May 3, 2009
Box Score
CLEMSON, S.C. -
The University of Maryland baseball led in the middle innings but ultimately dropped a 7-4 decision to No. 17 Clemson Sunday afternoon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in the first game of a scheduled doubleheader.
The Tigers (32-15, 16-10 ACC) jumped ahead early, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning on a two-run home run by left fielder Jeff Schaus.
Clemson starting pitcher Casey Harman held Maryland's offense in check through four innings, but the Terps played small ball to manufacture a run in the fifth. Center fielder Dan Benick led off with a bunt single and left fielder Gerry Spessard was hit by a pitch to put two runners on with no outs. Shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt to men in scoring position.
Designated hitter Jensen Pupa got the Terps (22-26, 6-20 ACC) on the board with a sacrifice fly to center field, but Casey Harman retired A.J. Casario to get out of the jam without anymore runs crossing the plate.
Third baseman Mike Murphy evened the score in the top of the sixth, leading off with a solo home run to left-center field, his 11th of the season. A Will Greenberg walk and Tyler Bennett single put runners at first and second with one out, forcing Casey Harman from the game.
Relief pitcher Scott Weismann came in and walked Benick to load the bases and Spessard gave the Terps their first lead of the series, 3-2, with an RBI ground-out to first base. Weismann did strand two runners in scoring position, though, getting Rodriguez to pop out to end the inning.
Unfortunately, the one-run lead lasted for all of one pitch, as first baseman Ben Paulsen hit Brett Harman's 1-0 delivery over the fence in left-center field to lead off the bottom of the sixth. The Tigers weren't done, though. No. 8 hitter John Nester delivered a two-out RBI single through the left side to regain the lead for Clemson and designated hitter Chris Epps added an insurance run with an RBI single up the middle off relief pitcher Adam Kolarek.
The Terps got within a run in the eighth inning, 5-4, on an RBI ground-out by Bennett. David Poutier drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a wild pitch before moving to third on a ground-out to first base.
Once again, the Tigers responded to the Terps' rally and one-upped them in the bottom of the inning. No. 9 hitter Jason Stolz drove in a run with a double and Epps added a sacrifice fly to give the Tigers a 7-4 lead entering the ninth inning.
Matt Vaughn came in and retired the side in the ninth to clinch victory for the Tigers and earn his third save of the season.
Weismann picked up his first victory of the decision, improving to 1-0. Brett Harman took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings to fall to 3-5 on the year.
Pupa and Murphy led the Terps with two hits apiece.
Game No. 2 of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 4:20 p.m.
-TERPS-
