Maryland baseball: Terps best Delaware 10 - 1

The #46 ranked Maryland Terrapins (9-4) hosted the Delaware Blue Hens (6 - 7, RPI 268) in baseball today at Shipley Field. Playing for Delaware is ex-Terp Greg Olenski, who batted .255 in 51 at bats last season. On the mound for the Terps was Jake Drossner (1-0, 6.25 era), making his second start of the season. He pitched well two weeks ago at James Madison with the exception of James Madison's three and four hitters. The Blue Hens sent out 6'3'' 233 lbs. freshman right-hander John Geffre (0-1, 4.66 ERA), making his second collegiate start and fifth appearance overall. Also of note is that Kyle Convissar started at left field rather than being the DH: his first game this year in the field.

Delaware sloppy and Terps take advantage

A group of about 30 students known as "The Backstop" were right near the Delaware dugout, giving them heck. In Maryland's second inning Convissar singled through the left side. After Mike Rescigno lined out, Anthony Papio hit one that the first baseman misplayed and runners were on first and second. Blake Schmit singled to load them up. Nick Cieri singled in a run and Andrew Amaro grounded in a run. Charlie White was HBP and then Brandon Lowe walked, forcing in a third run.  The Terps led 3 - 0.

White walked and stole second in the bottom of the fourth. Lowe hit a hard ground ball that the first baseman threw wide to the pitcher and Lowe reached. On a hit and run LaMonte Wade grounded to second but the double play wasn't possible; White scored. Convissar had his third hit of the day, scoring Lowe. After four innings the Terps led 5 - 0.

Delaware gets on the board, but then resumes their sloppy play.

In the first four frames Drossner didn't get hit hard, but had trouble throwing strikes. He just needed to get through the fifth to get the win. But the first batter was HBP and the second batter walked. That caused Drossner to get pulled for Tayler Stiles. Zach Lopes hit a ball that Lowe made a great play on to get the runner at second. A ground ball out scored a Blue Hen, and then Stiles punched out Olenski to end the Delaware fifth. Drossner's line: 4 innings, 4 hits, 4 walks, 5 Ks, 1 HBP, and 1 run.

Eric Sawyer came in to pitch for Delaware in the fifth. Schmit walked and stole his seventh base of the year. Cieri crunched the ball of the right field wall. Since Schmit had to hold for a bit he couldn't score. The Blue Hens pulled in their infield. Amaro hit a grounder to second. White was walked to load the bases. Lowe hit one back to the pitcher who came home, but the catcher made a rushed off-target throw for Delaware's third error today.  As the ball dribbled away from the first baseman, Cieri was able to score. Lowe swiped second and might have reinjured his wrist. Leal came in to run for Lowe. Wade walked and the bases were loaded for the hot hitting Convissar. Wouldn't you know it: Convissar was HBP, and the Terps led 7 - 1 after five.

Terrapin middle relief pitching clamps down the hammer

Stiles was continued his impressive outing in the sixth, retiring the side in order. Ben Brewster started the seventh and gave up only a single. Between Stiles and Brewster the Blue Hens managed only one hit and fanned four times. Mooney pitched the eighth and struck out three, allowing a lone hit. Going back to the Florida State game Mooney has now struck out six of his last seven batters.

In the Terrapin's eight Schmit blasted a triple with one out. It was his third hit of the day. Martir was HBP. Montville ripped a double down the right field line, scoring Schmit. White singled in Martir and Montville. After the smoke cleared the Terps led 10 - 1.

Alex Robinson came in for an inning of work in the ninth and retired the side. Tayler Stiles gets his first collegiate win

The Terps had an amazing 28 batters reach base: 12 on hits, 8 on walks, 5 on errors, and 3 HBP. Only two Terps struck out. Conversely the Terrapin pitchers allowed 11 base runners: 6 on hits, 4 on walks, and 1 HBP. The Terps' pitchers fanned 13 batters.

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H/T to Brandon Larrabee : @TeamSpeedKills , http://www.teamspeedkills.com

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