ELON, N.C. – Junior right-hander Tuck Tucker tossed five one-hit inning and Maryland's offense scored nine runs in the first three innings in a decisive 12-4 win over Elon at Latham Park Wednesday afternoon.
The Terrapins (12-8) outscored Elon (11-10) 23-8 over their two-game midweek sweep. Senior Taylor Wright and sophomore Chris Alleyne each reached base four times to lead Maryland.
The first inning saw the Terps score five runs to take total control of the contest. Alleyne singled to open the game before walks issued to Wright and Maxwell Costes loaded the bases. After a Justin Vought strikeout, AJ Lee drew a walk to score Alleyne prior to Sebastian Holte-Mancera plating two with a single.
Sophomore Tommy Gardiner drew another walk to load the bases and junior Caleb Walls took advantage, singling to right to bring home two more runs. The Terps manufactured a run in the second with Justin Vought's groundout scoring Wright who had singled to begin the inning.
In the third, sophomore Randy Bednar delivered with runners in scoring position, doubling to the gap in left center to score Alleyne and Tommy Gardiner. Wright then singled home Bednar to make the score 9-0.
Tucker was sensational in his first career start as a Terp. He faced the minimum through four and allowed just one run on a solo homer in the fifth. The left-hander from Texas struck out five and walked one to pick up his first win as a Terp.
Elon would score their four runs between the fifth and seventh but the Terps stayed in control throughout. In the Maryland sixth, Wright, Lee and Holte-Mancera walked to load the bases before Gardiner singled to right to plate a pair. Holte-Mancera then scored on a wild pitch to give the Terps their 12th run of the game.
Freshman Kody Milton made his first career appearance on the mound in the eighth and struck out two of the three batters he faced. Right-hander Mike Vasturia tossed a scoreless inning in the ninth to close out the game.
Maryland returns to action for three games against Creighton this weekend at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium. First pitch for Friday's game one is set for 6:30 p.m., and fans can listen to the action live on the Maryland Baseball Network.
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