COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Sophomore second baseman Brandon Lowe notched three hits and two RBIs to lead the No. 14 Maryland baseball team past Minnesota, 8-3, Sunday afternoon at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium.
The Terrapins (17-4, 3-0) fell behind early before rallying back in the middle innings. Tayler Stiles picked up the win with three innings of one-hit relief.
Minnesota grabbed the lead in the first when Jordan Smith hit a two-run homer to right field. The Golden Gophers upped the advantage to three when Toby Hason notched an RBI single.
In the bottom of the inning, Lowe poked a single into right to plate Kevin Biondic and put the Terps on the board.
The Terps tied the game in the fourth. Nick Cieri started the threat with a walk before Tim Lewis was hit by a pitch. Anthony Papio then singled to send in Cieri followed by a Biondic groundout that plated Lewis.
In the fifth, Kevin Smith and Kevin Martir strung together back-to-back doubles to plate a run before Jose Cuas singled to drive in a run. Lewis then hit a sac fly to send in Cuas and give Maryland a 6-3 lead.
In the sixth, Lowe hit a towering shot to center field to make the score 7-3. Maryland added its final run in the seventh when Lewis drove in Martir with a groundout.
The Terps bullpen was once again up to the challenge after starter Bobby Ruse left after four innings. Stiles, Robert Galligan and Brian Shaffer pitched five innings of two-hit relief.
Maryland has now won ten straight games. The team's 20 home runs so far this season already surpasses its total from last year.
The Terrapins return to action Tuesday at James Madison. Action is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
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