COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Maryland baseball team scored eight runs in the first two innings and eventually defeated Michigan State, 12-2, Friday night at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium.
The Terrapins (26-11, 10-3) totaled their 12 runs on 13 hits behind another solid start from ace RHP Brian Shaffer, who racked up seven strikeouts over seven innings while scattering six hits. Maryland is now 16-1 at home.
Junior Nick Dunn led the offense with two hits, three runs scored and three RBIs. Junior Will Watson led the Terps with three RBIs.
Maryland jumped in front in a two-run first inning off Big Ten ERA leader Alex Troop. Sophomore Marty Costes slapped a single to center before moving to third on Dunn's double down the right field line. Watson then delivered a two-out single to make 2-0.
The Terps blew the game open in the second with six runs, tying their most runs in an inning so far this season. Senior Madison Nickens doubled to begin the inning and came into score on senior Nick Cieri's towering two-run home run to center field. It was Cieri's second homer of the year.
After Zach Jancarski and Brandon Gum drew back-to-back walks, the pair stole second and third to put two in scoring position. Dunn then singled to right field to plate both runners. Watson followed with a single to left, which set up junior Kevin Smith's two-RBI double down the left field line.
Maryland added three more in the fourth. Watson's sac fly brought home Gum for the Terps' ninth run. Nickens' bloop single to center plated Smith and Dunn to make the score 11-0.
Shaffer was in control throughout, facing the minimum in five of the seven innings he worked. Michigan State plated it only run off the junior in the sixth inning. The Spartans added their last run off sophomore John Murphy, who worked the final two frames, in the ninth.
Dunn notched his third RBI on a groundout in the eighth.
Maryland and Michigan State will contest game two of its series at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium. Fans can watch the action live on BTN Plus or listen on the Maryland Baseball Network.
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