ELON, N.C. – Sophomore Nick Cieri notched three hits and four RBIs to lead the No. 14 Maryland baseball team past Elon, 7-3, at Latham Park Wednesday night.
The Terrapins (14-4) also received another sensational offensive performance from sophomore Brandon Lowe, who went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. The Maryland pitching staff did not allow a hit after the second inning.
“Our bullpen is the strength of our team right now,” head coach John Szefc said. “We have good hitters up and down the lineup, but the bullpen has allowed us to get back in games. They give us multiple chances to get back in the game.”
Maryland opened the scoring in the top of the first. Kevin Smith on a fielder's choice before advancing to third on a Kevin Martir single. Jose Cuas drove in the Terrapin shortstop with a sac fly to give Maryland a 1-0 lead.
Cieri provided the power in the second for Maryland. The sophomore hit a solo shot to left field to give the Terps a 2-0 advantage.
The Phoenix tied the score in the third. Austin Leeney notched an RBI single before Andy Moore doubled to left to plate Leeney.
After the Terps threatened in the top of the fourth, Elon was able to grab a run and chase Drossner, but Zach Morris got Maryland out of the jam.
Maryland tied the game in the seventh. Lowe tripled to right before Martir spun a single into shallow left to plate the sophomore.
In the ninth, Maryland blew the game open with four runs. After a Kengo Kawahara walk, Lowe ripped a double into center field to plate a run. Smith followed with a walk before Martir struck out. Cuas then walked to load the bases and Cieri cracked a bases clearing double to make the score 7-3.
Alex Robinson and Kevin Mooney finished the game off in the ninth to give the Terps their seventh straight win.
Lowe improved his average to .412 and added another run to his team leading mark of 28. He entered the game leading the country with 1.59 runs per game.
Maryland returns to action this weekend for its inaugural Big Ten series with Minnesota. Game one is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium.
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