Two Mid-Week Games On Tap For Maryland
4/6/2010 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 6, 2010
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland has a pair of tough mid-week games on tap as it travels to face George Mason on Tuesday and plays host to West Virginia on Wednesday.
The Terps, coming off a stinging series loss to No. 22 North Carolina last weekend, will look to improve upon their 7-4 record against teams from the Colonial Athletic Association when they take on George Mason Tuesday at 3 p.m.
Despite dropping the final two games of the series against North Carolina, several Terps have been heating up offensively. As a team, Maryland outhit the Tar Heels 14-11 in Sunday's loss, including an 11-3 advantage through the first six innings.
Alfredo Rodriguez raised his batting average to .306 with a 3-for-4 performance on Sunday. The sophomore has four multi-hit games in Maryland's last six contests.
First baseman/pitcher Adam Kolarek, who hit the game-winning, walk-off home run that beat the Tar Heels on Friday, followed it up with a 2-for-4 performance Saturday.
Catcher Jack Cleary reached base each time he stepped to the plate on Sunday, going 3-for-3 with a double, while also reaching when he was hit by a pitch. The redshirt-freshman is third on the team with a .272 batting average.
The Patriots, a 2009 NCAA Tournament team, are a potent offensive team, hitting .337 on the year and averaging 9.1 runs per game. The Patriots rank in the top 50 in the nation in batting average and doubles per game and have four players batting better than .410 this season. Maryland and George Mason are tied in the all-time series with 20 wins apiece.
RHP Sander Beck (0-4, 8.60) will take the mound for Maryland, while the Patriots will send LHP Nick Kendrick (0-1, 11.42).
Maryland then returns home to face West Virginia on Wednesday at 6 p.m., which is 13-14 heading into its Tuesday afternoon matchup with Towson. The Mountaineers are hitting .280 as a team this season, including a .298 mark against non-conference opponents. Starters Dom Hayes (.433), Jedd Gyorko (.349) and Grant Buckner (.323) are West Virginia's leaders offensively.
Reliever Chris Enourato leads a pitching staff that as a team, has a 6.56 ERA. Enourato is 4-0 this season in 10 relief appearances, and has a 3.00 ERA with three saves. The senior has recorded 40 strikeouts this season to just four walks.
Maryland leads the all-time series with West Virginia, 28-16-1. Pitching matchups for Wednesday's game have yet to be determined.
