May 1, 2010
Box Score | Season Stats (PDF)
CORAL GABLES, Fla. -
No. 16 Miami rallied from an early deficit and Maryland's bats cooled off late after a hot start as the Hurricanes defeated the Terrapins 6-4 Saturday night.
The Terps scored three runs in the first two innings, but Miami scored four of the last five as Maryland was unable to sustain their early offensive success.
The Canes broke a 3-3 tie in the fourth after Chris Pelaez led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a bunt single by Nathan Melendres. Maryland reliever Ian Schwalenberg got designated hitter Michael Broad to ground into a double play, but Pelaez scored from third to put Miami in front 4-3.
The Hurricanes added single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to pad their lead.
A night after outhitting Miami 11 to 10, the Terps looked to be on their way to another solid night offensively.
Shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez hit the first pitch of the game over the left-field wall for a 1-0 lead and after Miami scored two in the bottom of the first, the Terps added two runs in the second.
David Poutier led off the inning with a double down the right-field line and scored on Zach Fisher's double to center, evening the game at 2-2. The Terps retook the lead when first baseman Gary Schneider hit the third double of the inning - this one to left field - to plate Fisher.
But after the promising start the Terps were unable to score again until Schneider hit a home run in the ninth, leaving the door open for Miami.
The Canes had tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the third after a scary play in the outfield. Frankie Ratcliff hit a shot to the gap in left-center field, which led to a collision between left fielder Jon Wilson and center fielder Matt Marquis as they both attempted to dive and make the catch.
Marquis was taken off the field by stretcher and to the hospital for precautionary reasons, but was in good condition late Saturday night.
After a nearly 30-minute delay, Maryland starting pitcher Eric Potter issued consecutive walks to load the bases, triggering Schwalenberg's entrance into the game. Schwalenberg escaped the inning after allowing just one run on a sacrifice fly by Harold Martinez.
Jason Santana (4-2) struck out seven in seven innings and earned the win as Miami improved to 33-11 and 17-6 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Schwalenberg (4-3), who gave up two runs on five hits in four innings, took the loss. The Terps fell to 15-32 overall and 4-19 in the conference.
The Terps and Canes play the third and final game of the series Sunday at noon. RHP Sander Beck (0-7, 7.84) will start for Maryland against Miami's LHP Eric Erickson (4-1, 2.66).
Game Notes: All five of Rodriguez's home runs this season have come in the first inning ... three of Rodriguez's five homers have come on the first pitch of the game ... tonight's appearance was the 74th in the career of Ian Schwalenberg, moving him into a tie for fourth with Brett Cecil (2005-07) and Brad Taylor (2005-08) on Maryland's career appearances list ... the home run by Schneider was the first of his career, and it was also his first career three-hit game.
