MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – Freshman RHP Hunter Parsons continued his fine form with six innings of three-hit ball, but the Maryland baseball team fell, 4-1, to West Virginia at Monongalia County Ballpark Tuesday night.
The Terrapins (25-22, 10-8 Big Ten) were unable to find offense against West Virginia starter Michael Grove. Freshman Nick Dunn was Maryland's main threat in the lineup with two hits while sophomore Kevin Biondic had an RBI.
In the opening frame, the Terps threatened with two outs, but came up empty. Freshman Marty Costes singled through the left side before Dunn doubled to left center. Sophomore Kevin Smith could not produce a two out hit in the ensuing at-bat, striking out to end the inning.
After the Terps put runners on the corners with nothing to show for it in the second, they nabbed the first run of the game in the fourth. Junior Madison Nickens drew a five-pitch walk before going to second on an error. Biondic delivered a flair single to right field to bring in Nickens and make the score 1-0.
West Virginia responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead before plating insurance runs in the seventh and eighth to secure the victory. Sophomore Andrew Green and freshman Andrew Miller appeared in relief following Parsons' six innings of work.
Senior Anthony Papio picked up a two-out hit in the ninth, but Mountaineer closer Blake Smith shut the door for his seventh save of the season.
Other than a tough spot in the fourth where he allowed a solo home run along with an unearned run, Parsons was solid throughout. He scattered three hits and struck out a career high six batters while walking just one.
The freshman has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his starts this season.
Maryland returns to action this weekend for its final home series of the season against Rutgers. Action for Friday's game is scheduled to get underway at 6:30 p.m. and the action can be heard live on the Maryland Baseball Network.
-Terps-
