COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Sophomore Taylor Bloom let up just one run on six hits with six strikeouts as he tossed his fifth complete game of the season to lead the Maryland baseball team past Illinois, 3-1, in game two of a doubleheader Saturday.
The Terrapins (25-20, 10-7 Big Ten) dropped game one of the doubleheader before rebounding for a series tying win. Sophomore Kevin Smith hit a key three-run home run in the seventh inning of game two to propel Maryland to a victory.
Game Two (Maryland 3, Illinois 1)
Taylor Bloom tossed a complete game, his second in as many contests, to help Maryland take a 3-1 victory.
The sophomore retired 11 straight at one point in the middle of the game and only allowed a sustained Illinois threat in the seventh, when the Illini tallied their only run.
The Crofton Md, native lowered his ERA to a minuscule 1.99 and raised his season strikeout total to 51. His six Ks represented the second most in a single game this season for the right hander.
Maryland's offense was unable to take advantage to some control issues from Illinois starter Doug Hayes in the first few frames. Hayes walked the bases loaded in the first, but junior Nick Cieri grounded out to end the inning. The Terps had the lead-off man walk in the second, the fourth and the sixth, but could not muster a run.
In the seventh, Maryland took the lead. Sophomore Zach Jancarski started the threat with a single before freshman Dan Maynard, pinch hitting for Justin Morris, took the first pitch he saw into left for a single.
After Madison Nickens reached on a fielder's choice that saw Maynard putout at second, Smith hit a shot to left that just got over the fence for a three-run homer. It was the sophomore's sixth home run of the season, which is second on the team. He 27 RBI is tied for second on the team.
Bloom closed out the game to give Maryland the win.
Game Three (Illinois 4, Maryland 2)
Sophomore Mike Shawaryn tossed seven solid innings of work, but the Maryland offense was unable to overcome Illinois starter Cody Sedlock in a 4-2 loss in game one.
After Illinois struck first with a run in the opening frame, Maryland responded with one to tie the game in the bottom half of the first. Smith singled through the left side before a double from freshman Nick Dunn put runners on second and third with one down. Freshman Marty Costes moved his RBI total to a team-high 33 with a groundout that plated Smith. Sophomore Kevin Biondic grounded out to end the inning.
Maryland took the lead in the second when Anthony Papio scored on a Sedlock throwing error. That would be all the Terps would get against the Illinois ace, who did not allow a hit after the second.
Illinois got to Shawaryn, who was otherwise untouched, with three runs on four consecutive hits with two outs in the fourth. Pat McInerney and Dan Rowbottom picked up RBIs in the frame.
Freshman Hunter Parsons worked two solid innings of relief for Shawaryn to lower his ERA to 3.42.
Maryland returns to action for the rubber game against Illinois Sunday. First pitched is scheduled for noon and the action can be heard live on the Maryland Baseball Network.
-Terps-
