March 19, 2011
Box Score | Season Stats (PDF)
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Maryland broke a 3-3 tie on a bases-loaded balk by Boston College pitcher Eric Stevens in the bottom of the seventh and freshman right fielder Charlie White's leaping catch at the wall in the eighth inning helped preserve a 4-3 Terrapin win Saturday afternoon.
White provided the play of the game with one on and one out in the eighth, leaping at the wall to rob an extra-base hit from Mike Sudol, then throwing to first to double up Matt Watson who likely would have scored and tied the game had White not made the catch.
Catcher Jack Cleary and second baseman Ryan Holland each had singles in the decisive seventh inning. Boston College replaced pitcher Nate Bayuk with Stevens after Bayuk walked Tomo Delp to load the bases. With Matt Marquis at the plate, Stevens dropped the ball just before his delivery, allowing Cleary to come home for the 4-3 lead.
Maryland starting pitcher David Carroll (4-1) allowed three runs, just one of them earned, while striking out a season-high six in seven innings. Holland and shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez had two-hit days, including key RBI singles as Maryland overcame an early 2-0 deficit.
Down a couple of runs in the third, Maryland (10-9, 1-4 ACC) cut the lead in half with a two-out rally. Jack Cleary was hit by a pitch and reached scoring position on White's single to right field, bringing Holland to the plate. Holland, who is hitting a team-best .368, knocked a 2-2 pitch into left field to score Cleary from second.
Rodriguez tied it at two in the fourth with a RBI single that scored Delp and Maryland took a 3-2 lead on a sacrifice fly by Cleary that scored third baseman Kyle Convissar.
Boston College (7-9, 1-4 ACC) made it 3-3 in the sixth on the second failed pickoff attempt of the game by Carroll. With runners on the corners and two outs, the junior right-hander's throw to third base in an attempt to pickoff Marc Perdios was out of the reach of Convissar, allowing Perdios to trot home. Caroll got Garret Smith to line out to center field and end the inning following the error.
The Eagles had taken a 1-0 lead in the first on a similar Maryland miscue. With runners on the corners, two outs and a 2-2 count to Perdios, Carroll attempted to pickoff Matt Watson at first base but the throw was errant, allowing Brad Zapenas to score from third. Carroll struck out Perdios on the next pitch.
Boston College center fielder Tom Bourdon, who entered the game with a team-high .327 batting average, singled through the right side past a diving Holland to score Mike Sudol and give the Eagles a 2-0 lead in the second.
Carroll surrendered just three hits over his final five innings of work, giving Maryland the opportunity to come back. Michael Boyden pitched the eighth inning and Korey Wacker went from center field to the mound to pitch a perfect ninth and earn his first save of the season.
Bayuk (2-2) took the loss after surrendering three runs on seven hits in four innings of relief.
The third and final game of the series will be played Sunday at noon. LHP Eric Potter (2-1, 2.84) will start for Maryland, while Boston College is expected to start RHP John Leonard (2-1, 3.08).
Programming note: the Sunday series finale with Boston College will not be broadcast on WMUCSports.com. Live stats can be followed via GameTracker at umterps.com.
