April 21, 2010
Box Score | Season Stats (PDF)
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Maryland and Towson engaged in a defensive battle for the first five innings until the Tigers broke through with a run in the sixth and eventually won 3-1 at a rain-soaked Shipley Field at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium Wednesday night.
Towson leadoff hitter Ben Winter singled and advanced to second on an error in the sixth to set up the go-ahead run. Relief pitcher Matthew Passauer struck out the next two batters he faced but Austin Harclerode ripped a double to right field that scored Winter and gave Towson a 1-0 lead.
Before the sixth Towson had recorded just one hit - a single up the middle by Nick Natolit, who was the second batter of the game.
Maryland starting pitcher Sander Beck pitched three innings and allowed just the one hit, exiting with the game tied at 0-0.
Matt Quinn came on to pitch the fourth and after retiring the first batter he faced, walked the bases loaded. Matt Passauer entered in a tough situation, but needed just two pitches to get out of the jam. He picked off Steve Rice at first base before even throwing a pitch, and then got Kurt Wertz to groundout to first base to end the inning.
Passauer (1-1) stayed on to establish season highs with 3 2/3 innings pitched and six strikeouts, but was stuck with the loss after allowing the run-scoring double in the sixth.
The Terps had chances to tie the game or take the lead, but left the bases loaded in the eighth and ninth innings.
In the eighth, Alfredo Rodriguez led off by hitting a shot to left field that Towson's Kurt Wertz misplayed, allowing Rodriguez to reach second base. After recording a strikeout, Towson reliever Drew Permison threw two wild pitches that allowed Rodriguez to come home and bring the Terps within two runs. But with the bases loaded after three walks, Permison got out of the inning without any further damage by inducing a popout and a groundout.
Jon Wilson reached on a bunt-single in the ninth and Permison issued two more walks to load the bases, but he again escaped trouble, this time without allowing any runs.
Towson starter Mike Volpe (1-2) earned the win as the Tigers improved to 12-27. Permison was credited with the save.
Maryland (15-25) stole two bases on the evening to bring its season total to 96, breaking the school record for stolen bases in a season. The previous record, which was set in 1998, was 95.
The Terps host No. 2 Virginia this weekend in an Atlantic Coast Conference Series. Saturday's game, scheduled for 1 p.m., is free of admission for Maryland Day. The Terps will honor the 1965, 1970 and 1971 ACC Championship teams on Saturday as well.
