EMERSON, Ga. – Junior Jose Cuas notched three RBIs for the second game in a row, but the Maryland baseball team dropped its contest with Appalachian State, 9-7, at the Lake Point Complex Saturday.

The Terrapins (6-2) fell behind early after the Mountaineers put up a three-run fourth and five-run fifth. Sophomore Brandon Lowe and junior LaMonte Wade nabbed two hits to lead Maryland.

After an Appalachian State run in the top of the first, Maryland struck back with three in the bottom of the inning. Lowe opened the inning with a single before Wade walked. One batter later, Nick Cieri doubled home both runners to make the score 2-0.

Senior Tim Lewis followed with a single to plate Cieri. The Terps continued to threaten when Andrew Bechtold walked, but Justin Morris flied out to end the inning.

The Mountaineers retook the lead in the third. A Conner Leonard three-run double did the damage and gave Appalachian State at 4-3 lead.

Following a quiet Maryland third, Appalachian State extended the lead in the fourth. Brandon Burris smacked a one-out solo shot to knock out Maryland starter Tayler Stiles. Senior reliever Bobby Ruse replaced the sophomore, but gave up three more runs as Appalachian State took a 9-3 lead into the middle innings.

Maryland cut into the deficit in the fifth when Cuas doubled in Lowe and Wade. The Terps picked up another run in the sixth behind a Morris triple that drove in Kevin Smith.

The Terrapins threatened in the ninth, but were unable to complete the comeback. Lowe walked to start the inning before advancing to third on a Wade single. Cuas was able to send Lowe home on a fielder's choice, but the Terps stranded Wade at second to end the game.

Maryland and Appalachian State will play the rubber game of their three-game set at the Lake Point Complex at 11 a.m.

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