COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Sophomore Kevin Smith hit a solo home run, but the Maryland baseball team dropped it contest with Rutgers, 5-4, at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium Friday night.
The Terrapins (25-23, 10-9 Big Ten) took the lead with a three-run fourth inning, but could not close out the game in the later innings. Junior RHP Mike Shawaryn went five innings and allowed two runs.
Shawaryn worked out of jams over the first four innings, with Rutgers picking up single runs in the second and the fourth.
Maryland took the lead with a three-spot in the fourth off Rutgers ace Howie Brey. The inning began with back-to-back singles from Smith and junior Madison Nickens to put runners on first and third with nobody out.
After Kevin Biondic struck out, redshirt freshman Andrew Bechtold walked to load the bases. Sophomore Justin Morris produced a single into right field to plate two runs. Zach Jancarski then bunted in Bechtold from third to give Maryland the lead.
Rutgers chased Shawaryn after five inning and got to the Maryland bullpen in the seventh, plating three runs off three Terrapin pitchers.
Smith answered with his seventh home run of the season in the eighth, a solo shot that hit off the scoreboard in left. Smith matched his home run total from last season and is second on the team in that category.
Smith now has 12 multi-hit games and is now second on the team with 28 RBI. Bechtold has reached base in seven straight games.
Maryland returns to action Saturday against Rutgers at noon at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium. The game can be seen live on BTN Plus and fans can listen to the game on the Maryland Baseball Network.
-Terps-
