March 8, 2011
Box Score | Season Stats (PDF)
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Five Maryland pitchers combined for a complete-game shutout and Ryan Holland ripped a three-run triple off the right-field wall as part of a five-run seventh inning to lead the Terps over Delaware 8-0 Tuesday afternoon.
Sophomore lefty Jimmy Reed (1-1) came on in relief of starter Chuck Ghysels in the fourth and needed just 11 pitches to get through two innings thanks to a pair of inning-ending double plays. Reed was credited with the win as Maryland (8-4) finished its eight-game homestand 7-1.
Junior Michael Boyden followed Reed with two innings and freshman Brady Kirkpatrick and junior Korey Wacker pitched an inning apiece to finish off the Blue Hens (3-9). Over the final six innings Maryland faced just one more batter than the minimum, turning three double plays in that span.
Combined with Saturday's doubleheader against Canisius, Maryland's bullpen hasn't allowed a run in the last 10 innings.
"What everyone is seeing is guys getting more comfortable with the more appearances and opportunities they get," said head coach Erik Bakich. "That's all it is - just guys being comfortable out there."
Pitching and defense had been a central theme through the first 11 games and continued to be Tuesday. The last of Maryland's three double plays came in the eighth inning with two on and one out. Delaware's Steve Ulaky hit a sharp grounder that second baseman Ryan Holland had to range to his left to make the play on; Holland then backhanded it to shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez, who tagged second, spun around and threw out Ulaky to end the inning.
"Making big plays - like double plays - are big momentum gainers," said Bakich. "When you end an inning with a double play, guys come in fired up and that a lot of times can lead to a big inning offensively. We had some good plays defensively today and that allowed us to have a big inning and separate ourselves. The defense that we've played has been lights out and it's certainly allowed us to stay in games and give us confidence to know that we're going to be in the game."
Maryland led just 1-0 heading into the home half of the seventh when outfielder Charlie White, who went 3-for-4 with three doubles, led off the inning with a two-base hit to right field. Jordan Hagel followed with a bunt single and Delaware pitcher Matt Harden's throwing error in an attempt to throw out Hagel allowed White to come around and score.
After a pair of walks to Rodriguez and Tomo Delp loaded the bases Holland hit a 3-1 pitch off the top of the wall in right field, clearing the bases and giving Maryland a 5-0 lead. Holland scored on a catcher's balk during the next at-bat to make it 6-0.
The Terps added two insurance runs in the eighth on a pair of RBI singles by Alfredo Rodriguez and Korey Wacker to go ahead 8-0.
Delaware starting pitcher Dan Gatto (0-1) was pegged with the loss after giving up one unearned run on four hits in four innings.
Maryland is next in action at 7 p.m. Friday, when it opens Atlantic Coast Conference play at Georgia Tech.
