ELON, N.C. – Sophomore Brandon Lowe notched four hits, four runs and three RBIs to lead the No. 14 Maryland baseball team past Elon, 15-5, at Latham Park Tuesday afternoon.
The Terrapins (13-4) received a sterling relief performance from Ryan Selmer, who threw 4 2/3 innings of two-hit ball to notch the win. Kevin Martir added three hits and three RBIs as the Terps racked up 14 unanswered runs after the third.
After a scoreless first, Maryland opened the scoring in the second. Tim Lewis was hit by a pitch before Nick Cieri stroked a double into right to drive in Lewis and give the Terps a 1-0 advantage.
Elon responded in the bottom of the inning. A pair of home runs from Chris King and James Venuto provided the Phoenix with a 3-1 lead.
In the third, the Phoenix increased their lead with a pair of runs. Ryan Cooper hit a one-run single followed by a Nick Zamarelli sac fly.
From there the Terrapins took control of the game. In the fifth, Anthony Papio walked and advanced to second on a passed ball. Kengo Kawahara then doubled in Papio before scoring on a Kevin Smith single to left.
Maryland tied the score in the seventh on back-to-back home runs. Lowe went opposite field off reliever Nick Beaulac for his third home run of the season before Martir hit a bomb to left, also his third on the year.
The eighth saw the Terps notch their seventh frame of the year with five or more runs. Cieri singled to center before Papio reached on a single. Zach Jancarski, pinch running for Cieri, and Papio both advanced on a passed ball. Jancarski then scored on a wild pitch to give Maryland the lead.
After Kevin Biondic reached, Kawahara stroked a single into center to score Papio and Biondic. Three batters later, Jose Cuas doubled down the left field line to plate Kawahara and Lowe. Lewis then doubled in Cuas to give Maryland an 11-5 lead at the end of eight.
In the ninth, the Terps padded their lead. Papio started the threat with a single before Biondic doubled to score the junior. After Kawahara walked, Lowe's hot bat came through again with a single that plated Biondic. Smith then drove in Kawahara with a sac fly followed by a Martir double that brought in Lowe.
In his first appearance since the first weekend of the season, Kevin Mooney retired the side in the ninth to give the Maryland a 15-5 win. Alex Robinson pitched a spotless eighth for the Terps.
The Terrapins return to action against the Phoenix tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled and will be broadcast live on the Maryland Baseball Network.
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