COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Junior Kevin Martir exploded for three hits and four RBIs to lead the No. 16 Maryland baseball team to a 12-7 victory over West Virginia at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium Tuesday afternoon.
After falling behind 2-0, the Terrapins (23-7, 7-2) used a seven-run four to establish a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Junior Anthony Papio added three hits of his own while sophomore Brandon Lowe and freshman Kevin Smith added home runs.
“Coming off a big weekend you can get lethargic,” head coach John Szefc said. “We had to create our own energy. We did a good job of minimizing the damage early. I thought our staff did a good job and they gave our hitters a chance to get in there and do what they've been doing.”
Maryland fell behind after the first batter of the game when Mountaineer leadoff hitter Taylor Munden put a Bobby Ruse offering over the fence.
Both teams picked up runs in the third. Shaun Wood singled in a run for West Virginia before Kevin Smith hit his third home run of the season to put Maryland on the board in the bottom half of the frame.
After Mountaineer tally in the top half of the fourth, the Terps blew the contest open with seven runs. Consecutive singles from Papio and senior Tim Lewis set up freshman Jamal Wade, whose hotly hit single was misplayed in left field, allowing Papio and Lewis to score to tie the game.
Wade scored on a Justin Morris sac fly before freshman Kengo Kawahara walked. Lowe singled to left followed by a Smith walk to load the bases. Martir made the most of his opportunity, slamming a double to left to plate the lead two runners. Smith was thrown out at home on the play.
Consecutive doubles from junior Jose Cuas and Papio plated two more runs as the Terps batted around and notched seven hits in the inning.
Martir turned on the power again in the sixth, responding to a West Virginia run in the top half with a towering home run down the right field line.
Maryland answered the Mountaineers' three-run seventh with a three-spot of its own in the eighth. After Kawahara walked, Lowe hit his eighth homer of the season into left field. Matir's sac fly to drive in Smith ended the Terps' scoring in the inning.
Freshman Ryan Selmer picked up the win with an inning and a third of scoreless relief after taking over for starter Bobby Ruse. Junior Alex Robinson pitched the ninth for the Terps and has still not allowed an earned run through 14 innings of work.
The Terrapins return to action Wednesday against George Washington. First pitch from Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium is set for 4 p.m.
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