In the rubber game of the series, Appalachian State sent out dual threat OF/RHP Matt Brill (0-0) to face Maryland's Brian Shaffer (0-0).
Terps go on top with another B1G inning
Shaffer had a much better start than last week against Arkansas. Through three innings, he allowed two hits and did not walk a batter, while striking out two.
Brill looked good in the first two innings, but ran into control problems in the third. That would prove disastrous for App State, as the Terps were able to put together another one of their patented big innings. With one out Justin Morris and Kevin Smith each drew four-pitch walks. Lowe also walked, putting Terrapin runners everywhere. LaMonte Wade's single up the middle put the Terps on top 2-0. Jose Cuas hit a hard liner that the third baseman was able to knock down, throwing out Cuas. However, Lowe and Wade were able to advance. Nick Cieri's single brought both runners home, giving the Terps a 4-0 advantage. That brought in RHP Reed Howell for App State. Tim Lewis drew Maryland's fourth walk of the inning. Kevin Martir made Howell pay for the walk by singling in Cieri for the Terps' fifth run of the inning. After three innings, Maryland led 5-0.
How would Shaffer respond?
After a half-inning that seemed to take 30 minutes, the question on everyone's mind: how would Shaffer respond, particularly staked to a large lead? Just fine, retiring the heart of the Mountaineers' order 1-2-3, including two strikeouts.
Smith began the Terrapin fourth with a single to left field and stole second. One out later Wade was HBP. The Terps then executed a double steal, putting both runners in scoring position with one out. However, Cuas and Cieri both fanned to end the Maryland threat.
Shaffer set down the Mountaineers in order in the fifth, on a pop-up and two grounders back to the mound. At this point Shaffer had retired seven straight hitters.
Terps put up a three-spot to lead 8-0
In the Terrapin fifth, Lewis and Papio singled to put runners on first and third with one out. Papio stole second to take away the double play. Morris hit a grounder that went off the second baseman's glove, and the Terps led 6-0. Smith hit an inside-out single to make the score 7-0. Then Lowe hit a sacrifice fly to give the Terps an eight-run lead.
Chandler Seagle led off the sixth with a single. Brandon Burris connected for a two-run homer to cut the Terrapin lead to 8-2. Shaffer did not panic, mowing down the next three batters, two on strikeouts. Shaffer's final line: 6 ip, 4 h, 2 r, 0 bb, 6 so, 89 tp.
Terrapin bullpen seals the deal
Zach Morris took the hill for Maryland to start the seventh. With one out App State put together back-to-back singles. However, Morris was able to get the next two batters, keeping Maryland's lead at six runs. He continued to look strong in the eighth, retiring the side in order.
Alex Robinson pitched the ninth to get some work in, allowing one hit and striking out two batters.
Brian Shaffer got his first collegiate victory to go 1-0. Overall, the Terps moved to 7-2 on the season. The Terps have now gone nine straight games with only one error by a position player.