March 7, 2010
Box Score | Season Stats (PDF)
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Brandon Padula hit a three-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning and Maryland completed a three-game sweep of Hostra with a 7-5 victory Sunday.
Padula, who has recorded three hits in four of the last five games, went 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs on the day. The junior is now batting .568 this season, second-best in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Maryland trailed 5-3 entering the bottom of the eighth. Catcher Jack Cleary led off and was hit by a pitch, then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by pinch hitter Jon Wilson. After a David Poutier fly out, Alfredo Rodriguez kept the inning alive with a clutch single to right field that scored Cleary and brought Maryland within one.
Rodriguez then stole second and on the next pitch Matt Marquis hit a grounder towards the gap between Hofstra shortstop Matt Ford and third baseman Mike Walraven. Ford just got to the ball, but with no force-out at second had to make a long throw to first, which Marquis beat out for a single.
That brought up Padula, who hit a first-pitch fastball over the left field wall and helped Maryland win its fourth straight game.
Adam Kolarek (1-0) earned the win for Maryland (5-6), pitching 1 2/3 in relief and allowing just one base runner. Dan Gentzler recorded the final two outs of the ninth to earn his second save of the season.
Jeff Guthridge (0-1) took the loss, giving up four runs on four hits in 2 2/3 innings for Hofstra (0-9).
Maryland led 2-1 after one inning, chasing Hofstra starting pitcher Kevin Rigopoulos out of the game after he recorded just two outs. Marquis hit a two-out double in the inning and scored on a single by Padula. Adam Kolarek and Tyler Bennett drew walks and Pride reliever Ryan Radke replaced Rigopoulos. Matthew Murakami hit a run-scoring single to give Maryland the early lead.
A failed pickoff attempt by Maryland starter Sander Beck with the bases loaded in the fourth inning allowed two runners to score as Hofstra took a 5-2 lead. The Terps answered with a run in the bottom half when Bennett was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Maryland opens ACC play this weekend with a three-game set against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. The Terps and Hokies play at 5:30 p.m. Friday, 2:00 Saturday and 1:00 Sunday.
