EVANSTON, Ill. – Junior Jose Cuas hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning to give the Terrapins the lead for good as the Maryland baseball team defeated Northwestern, 4-3, at Rocky Miller Park Saturday afternoon.
The Terrapins (36-20, 14-10 Big Ten) received a solid performance from freshman RHP Ryan Selmer who gave up just three runs over six innings in his first career start. Sophomore Brandon Lowe notched three hits and two stolen bases for Maryland.
After Lowe picked up his first hit of the game in the top half of the first, Northwestern took the lead in the home half. Ruchim slapped a single up the middle before advancing to third on a Jones single. Ruchim then scored on a Heelan sac fly.
The Wildcats upped its advantage to 3-0 in the third. Jones and Ruchim scored when freshman Justin Morris' throw from first to third was wild.
Maryland nabbed the lead in the eighth. Junior LaMonte Wade walked before freshman Kevin Smith doubled down the left field line to put runners on second and third. Sophomore Brandon Lowe then singled to left-center to clear the bases and cut the deficit to 3-2.
Cuas gave the Terps the lead, ripping a 3-2 pitch over the left field fence. The dinger was Cuas' 11th of the season.
Junior Kevin Mooney relieved Selmer in the seventh and pitched three innings of scoreless ball to earn his third win of the season.
The win is Maryland's 36th victory of the season, a new school record for regular season wins.
The Terrapins earned the No. 4 seed in next week's Big Ten Tournament in Minneapolis and will open with fifth-seeded Michigan State. First pitch from Target Field is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast live on BTN.
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