Maryland
VMI
Maryland Falls To VMI In Extra Innings
3/2/2010 7:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 2, 2010
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Adam Kolarek gave Maryland another dominant performance on the mound, but the Terps were unable to hold on to a slim advantage down the stretch, falling in 11 innings to Virginia Military Institute Tuesday at Shipley Field at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium.
Kolarek pitched seven strong innings for the Terps and exited with a 2-1 lead, but VMI scored four runs in the eighth for a 5-2 lead. After Maryland scored three runs to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning, the Keydets scored a single run in the ninth. The Terps answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extras, but a VMI run in the 11th inning was enough to give the Keydets the victory.
VMI's Justin Topping hit a grounder towards the left side to lead off the 11th, but third baseman Carter Bumgardner and shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez collided, allowing Topping to reach base. Topping then advanced to second on a groundout and reached third base on a Erickson Keeton single. That brought up Sam Roberts, who grounded out to first baseman David Poutier. Poutier threw home after tagging first, but Topping narrowly beat the throw for a 7-6 VMI lead.
Brandon Padula continued his hot-streak, going 3-for-5 with two RBI. The junior leads the team with a .500 batting average this season and his two-run home run in the fourth inning gave Maryland a 2-0 lead.
Kolarek struck out five and gave up four hits, allowing one unearned run on the day. In 10 innings pitched this season, Kolarek has yet to yield an earned run.
Ian Schwalenberg (1-1) took the loss for Maryland (1-6), striking out three in two innings while giving up the lone unearned run.
John Garrett (1-0), who also pitched two innings and didn't allow a hit, earned the win for VMI (7-0).
Maryland plays host to instate rival Towson Wednesday at 3 p.m.
