March 15, 2011
Box Score | Season Stats (PDF)
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Liberty scored eight of its 11 runs with two outs and Maryland was unable to provide much offensive punch after a three-run first inning, falling 11-4 to the Flames Tuesday afternoon.
Terrapin pitching struggled to close the door throughout. Maryland (8-8) surrendered its 3-0 lead in the third by giving up four runs, three of which came with the Terps just one out away from getting out of the inning. The Flames (9-8) added a pair of runs in the fourth and three more in the sixth on a bases-loaded double by Doug Bream, all with two outs, to take control of the game.
Liberty's Garrett Baker (2-0), a 6-foot-5 junior, came on in relief of starter Jacob Kemmerer with the bases loaded and nobody out in the first inning, with one Maryland run already across the plate. The left-hander got out of the inning after allowing just two more runs - both of which were charged to Kemmerer - and went on to strike out five and give up three hits in eight innings of work.
Maryland starting pitcher Michael Boyden (1-1), along with relievers Brady Kirkpatrick and Jimmy Reed, had rare off days. Boyden had allowed just two runs in his last four outings, including a start against Navy on Feb. 23, and cruised through the first two innings Tuesday. But Liberty's four-run third inning spurred by a pair of solo home runs by Zack Haley and Jeff Jefferson gave Boyden his first loss.
Kirkpatrick was the first man out of the bullpen, coming on to pitch in relief of Boyden in the fourth. The freshman had allowed just one hit in his last three appearances and technically retired the first three batters he faced. But after inducing Austin Taylor into a groundout, Michael Robertson struck out swinging on a wild pitch that got away from catcher Jack Cleary, allowing him to reach first safely. A throwing error by Kirkpatrick on a failed pickoff attempt moved Robertson to second and also broke up the potential of a double play.
Haley, the next Liberty batter, grounded out to shortstop but with no double play in order the Flames remained alive with two outs. Back-to-back singles by Ian Parmley and Jeff Jefferson brought in two more runs and Liberty took a 6-3 lead.
In the top of the sixth, Kirkpatrick retired the first batter he faced but gave up a double to Haley, prompting a move for Reed. With a runner on second Liberty's Parmley put a bunt down to advance Haley to third, but the bunt was put down perfectly and resulted in a hit to put runners on the corners. After Parmley stole second, Reed got Jefferson to ground out to third base for the second out of the inning.
That brought up Tyler Bream, who came into the game hitting .361, and Reed issued a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Catcher Casey Rasmus cleared the bases with a double to the gap in right-center field as Liberty opened up a 9-4 lead.
In the first inning, Maryland's first three batters drew walks, Brandon Padula drove in a run with an infield single and Tim Kiene and Jake Stinnett hit sacrifice flies for a 3-0 lead. Alfredo Rodriguez's single with two outs gave the Terps runners on first and second but Korey Wacker grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning and Maryland recorded just three hits the rest of the way.
The Terps will look for a split in the series with another 4 p.m. matchup against the Flames on Wednesday. RHP Chuck Ghysels (0-1, 4.50) will start against RHP Patrick Eckelbarger (1-1, 7.27).
