EMERSON, Ga. – The No. 12 Maryland baseball team scored five runs in the third to blow the game open and went on to defeat Appalachian State, 8-2, at the Lake Point Complex Sunday afternoon.
The Terrapins (7-2) took advantage of three Mountaineer walks in the third and established a lead they would not relinquish in a series clinching victory. Freshman Brian Shaffer was on the bump for the Terps and worked six innings, giving up two runs and four hits while striking out six and picking up the decision.
After an uneventful first couple of innings, Maryland went to work in the third. After an Anthony Papio strikeout, Mountaineer starter Matt Brill walked three straight Terps to load the bases. Wade followed with a single into centerfield that scored Kevin Smith and Justin Morris.
Jose Cuas's ground out proceeded Nick Cieri's single that drove in Brandon Lowe and Wade. Tim Lewis followed with a walk and Kevin Martir slapped a single to bring in Cieri.
Maryland scored its last three runs in the fifth. Martir reached on a fielder's choice before Papio singled to center to send the Maryland catcher to third. Papio then stole second and Morris reached on an error by the Appalachian State second baseman. Martir scored on the play to give Maryland a 6-0 lead.
Smith followed Morris with a single that plated Papio. Lowe added the final Terrapin run of the game, notching a sac fly that brought home Morris.
Shaffer's only trouble came in the sixth. Brandon Burris hit a two-run homer to left field to cut the Maryland lead to 8-2. Shaffer easily finished the inning after the blip before Zach Morris replaced him in relief in the seventh. Morris and Alex Robinson combined to finish the contest, throwing three innings of scoreless relief.
The Terrapins recorded four steals during the game and consistently put the Mountaineers under pressure on the base paths. Wade continued his hot start and has a team-high .486 batting average.
Maryland retakes the field Tuesday on the road at Delaware. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
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