COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Junior Tayler Stiles threw seven strong innings while the Terp offense pounded out 14 hits to push the Maryland baseball team past VCU, 8-1, at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium Tuesday afternoon.
The Terrapins (12-12, 1-2 Big Ten) jumped all over the Rams early, plating six runs in the first two innings. Stiles notched his best start of the season to earn his second win of the year.
Maryland opened the scoring in the first. Sophomore Kevin Smith singled right back up the middle before moving to third on a Nick Dunn single that saw the left fielder misplay the ball to allow Smith and Dunn to nab an extra base. Smith scored on Nick Cieri's subsequent groundout to give the Terps a 1-0 lead.
The Terps did major damage in the second inning. Senior Anthony Papio drew a five-pitch walk followed by freshman Dan Maynard taking the first pitch he saw into left for a single. The duo then executed a double steal to put runners in scoring position
Redshirt freshman Andrew Bechtold's tough grounder to the shortstop produced an infield single that brought home Papio. After Madison Nickens lined out, Smith singled to plate Maynard. Dunn then doubled to left center to score Bechtold before Cieri singled down the right field line to bring home both runners and give the Terps a 6-0 lead after two.
Maryland last piece of damage was done in the fourth when Dunn led off the frame with a double. After a pair of outs, Kevin Biondic drew a walk on a full count before Papio knocked a triple off the wall in right field to plate both runners.
Stiles was effective throughout the contest and was especially proficient when VCU put runners on base. The Rams were just 1-of-13 off Stiles with runners on and the left-hander finished with a pair of strikeouts.
In the last three games, Maryland's starting pitchers have given up just one run over 23.0 IP with 13 strikeouts to just two walks.
Freshman John Murphy let up a run in the eighth before freshman Zach Guth finished off the contest in the ninth.
Every Maryland starter notched a hit, with Dunn leading the way with three. Cieri ended the game with three RBIs. The 14 hits tied for Marylands third highest total of the season.
Maryland returns to action tomorrow against VCU in Richmond at The Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and the game can be heard live on the Maryland Baseball Network.
– Terps –
