COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Junior designated hitter Nick Cieri hit a grand slam in the Terrapins' eight-run fifth to help the Maryland baseball team defeat Rhode Island, 13-10, at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium Sunday afternoon.
The Terrapins (3-3) racked up 13 runs on 12 hits to take the rubber game against the Rams. Sophomore Kevin Biondic starred throughout, reaching base four times including a two-run home run. Senior Robert Galligan picked up the save in two innings of work.
“It was really important for those guys [offensively] to feel good about themselves,” head coach John Szefc said. “This was a really big win because we came from five down, but it was even bigger because it helped improve our attitude. It turned the mental part of things for us.”
Rhode Island jumped on the Terps early with a four-run third inning. Sophomore Justin Morris responded in the bottom half of the frame with a towering two-run home run, the first of his career, over the batters eye in center field.
After the Rams made it a 7-2 game in the top of the fifth, Maryland ripped off eight runs to take the lead. Senior Anthony Papio started the inning with a single before Biondic blasted a 2-0 pitch from Rhode Island starter Ben Wessel for a two-run homer.
After consecutive walks to Morris and sophomore Kevin Smith, junior Madison Nickens flied out to left for the second out. Freshman Nick Dunn then was hit by a pitch, setting up Cieri, who slammed a 3-1 fast ball over the fence in right center to give the Terrapins an 8-7 lead.
Sophomore Andrew Bechtold followed up the big fly with a double to right. Papio then slapped a single to center to plate Bechtold. The senior advanced to second on a failed pickoff before freshman Marty Costes, pinch hitting for Peyton Sorrels, walked. Biondic followed that with a single to left to drive in Papio and make it a 10-7 game.
In the sixth, Nickens tacked on a run for the Terps with a home run into center, his second of the season.
Rhode Island made it a one run game with three in the top of the eighth before Maryland tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the bottom half. Smith started the inning with a single before moving to second on a Nickens groundout. Dunn then ripped a double to left to plate Smith.
Cieri finished his big game and the scoring for the game with an ensuing double that plated Dunn. He finished with five RBIs and leads the Terps on the year with eight.
After starter Brian Shaffer was bounced in the third inning, Maryland's bullpen combined to preserve the win. Sophomore Ryan Selmer notched two innings of work to pick up the win while junior Tayler Stiles, making his first appearance since his injury suffered against Cal State Fullerton last season, tossed a pair of innings.
Maryland finished with four home runs on the day, the most since the Terps hit four against Virginia on May 22, 2014. Cieri's grand slam was Maryland's first since Smith notched one against UNC Wilmington on March 8, 2015.
Maryland returns to action at Delaware on Tuesday. Fans can listen to the action live on the Maryland Baseball Network with first pitch scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
– Terps –
