Feb. 18, 2012

Box Score |  Photo Gallery  | Saturday's Live Blog!

LIKE! Maryland Athletics on Facebook

LOS ANGELES - Maryland overcame a 1-0 deficit with a pair of runs in the ninth inning and reliever Jimmy Reed came on to shut the door in the bottom half of the inning as the Terps beat No. 14 UCLA in the season opener Friday night.

The Terps (1-0) snapped a 10-game losing streak in season openers - their last had come in 2001 against North Carolina A&T - with solid pitching and a gritty effort offensively.

Maryland's pitching staff didn't allow an earned run all game, with UCLA's (0-1) lone run coming in the fourth inning after an error. Brady Kirkpatrick started and gave 5 1/3 solid innings, Michael Boyden kept the Terps close in 2 2/3 innings of work and Reed closed it out.

Trailing 1-0 with one out in the ninth and the bases loaded, catcher Jack Cleary battled through an eight-pitch at-bat, finally getting hit with a pitch, to force in Kyle Convissar and knot the game 1-1.

After Charlie White grounded into a fielder's choice for the second out of the inning, Alfredo Rodriguez drew a walk to force in the winning run.

Reed, a junior left hander, entered in the ninth and struck out the first two batters he faced, needing just three pitches to retire pinch-hitter Brian Carroll. UCLA right fielder Jeff Gelalich singled on a sharp liner to first base to keep the Bruins alive, but it was no matter. Reed struck out Cody Keefer on three pitches - all with Keefer swinging and missing - to end the game.

Maryland wouldn't have been in position to take the lead in the ninth without the effort of Boyden. The senior took over for Kirkpatrick with one down in the sixth and after loading the bases with a hit batsman and walk, found his groove. He induced a pair of groundouts to escape the inning unscathed and cruised through the next two frames, recording three strikeouts without allowing a hit.

That left the door open for Maryland in the ninth, and the Terps took advantage.

Convissar led the effort offensively with a 2-for-3 effort, while Rodriguez, Tim Kiene and Aaron Etchison also had base knocks.

Boyden (1-0) earned the win while UCLA's Scott Griggs (0-1) was charged with the loss. Bruins starter Adam Plutko struck out 10 in seven innings of work but didn't factor into the decision.

The Terps and Bruins resume the three-game series Saturday at 5 p.m. Eastern.