FAIRFAX, Va. – The Maryland baseball team fell, 8-5, to George Mason in Fairfax, Va., Wednesday afternoon.
The Terrapins (21-11, 6-3 Big Ten) fell behind 7-0 after two innings and were unable to complete the comeback. Junior Zach Jancarski (4-for-5, 2 runs) and sophomore Marty Costes, who reached base all five times with three hits, two walks and a home run, were the offensive standouts.
George Mason bounced Maryland starter RHP Hunter Parsons from the contest after just one and one third, scoring five runs off the sophomore. In total, the Patriots scored seven runs in the first two innings to take a 7-0 lead.
Maryland got three runs back in the top of the third. A couple of two-out singles from Jancarski and senior Brandon Gum set up Costes, who homered to left field to make it a 7-3 game.
After George Mason plated another run in the bottom half of the third, Maryland cut into the deficit in the fifth. Junior Kevin Smith led off the inning with a solo home run to left field. Maryland was able to put runners on the corners in the form of Jancarski and Gum, which allowed Costes to drive in a run on a flair shot single to right. Sophomore Nick Dunn and junior Will Watson flew out to end the threat.
Maryland's bullpen did not give up a run after the third, with junior Ryan Hill and senior Mike Rescigno combining for five and a third innings of scoreless work. Maryland had two runner son in the seventh, but Dunn and Watson were unable to bring any home.
The Terps' final threat came in the ninth when they loaded the bases with one out after a Jancarski single and a pair of walks issued to Gum and Costes. Dunn grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game.
Maryland returns to action Friday night against Penn State. First pitch from Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m., and the action can be heard live on the Maryland Baseball Network.
-Terps-
