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The starting pitchers for game one of the three game series were Jake Stinnett (3 - 4, 2.84 ERA) and VA Tech's LHP Sean Keselica, (2-2, 5.46 ERA).
Stinnett escaped a one out jam in the bottom of the first. Saige Jenco walked and Mark Zagunis singled. Runners were on the corner when Stinnett picked off Zagunis; in the rundown Jenko was gunned down at the plate. Stinnett stuck out Brendon Hayden to end the inning.
The Terps bats were asleep through the first four innings, managing only an infield single by Blake Schmit. Fortunately Stinnett was able to hold the Hokies scoreless, scattering four hits and striking out three.
Terps scratch out a run, but Schmit's error opens the door for the Hokies
Kevin Martir led off the fifth with a single to center. Michael Montville laid down a great bunt that Brendon Hayden couldn't field. Charlie White sacrificed both runners into scoring position. Brandon Lowe hit a shallow fly that looked like it was going to fall in for a hit. But shortstop Ricky Surum dove for and made a spectacular catch on it. Martir was able to score but Surum's catch saved a run. LaMonte Wade walked. Kyle Convissar grounded out to end the top of the fifth.
With one out Miguel Ceballos singled. Jenco hit a chopper to short that Blake Schmit came in for and uncharacteristically miffed: runners were on first and third. Alex Perez hit a sacrifice fly to center and the score was tied. Zagunis then turned on a pitch and launched a double down the left field line that bounced up and hit the foul pole. Thus the hit was a ground-rule double and the score stayed tied. But Stinnett threw a wild pitch and Jenco scored. On the next pitch Hayden struck out.
Hokies go out in front 3 - 1
In the bottom of the sixth Phil Sciretta walked, and scored when pitcher Kesselica (who was also batting in this game) blasted a triple. Stinnett avoided further damage by striking out the next two hitters, then getting the Ceballos to ground out.
The Terps went down in order in the seventh and things were looking dicey. Through seven innings the Terps had only managed four hits, two of which were infield singles. They had left eight runners aboard. This was the second straight game where a pitcher with a high ERA had quieted the Terps' bats.
Terps can't get the big hit
Convissar started the Terps' eighth by striking out. Blake Schmit lined a shot off of Kesselica's elbow that went for an infield single. More importantly, it finished Kesselica's night. Coming in to pitch was the former Friday night starter for the Hokies, RHP Brad Markey (Bel Air, MD native). Cuas hit his first pitch for a single to right. But Cieri and Martir both grounded out.
Stinnett got through the eighth with no trouble. His line: eight innings, three runs, one earned run, eight hits, three walks, and eight strike outs. It was a gutty performance. But it was for naught as Markey set down the Terps in order in the ninth.
With the loss Jake Stinnett went to 3-5. Sean Kesselica moved to 3 - 2 and Brad Markey got his first save of the season. The Terps fall to 20-12 overall, 6 - 9 in the ACC. In all Maryland managed just six hits and stranded 10 base runners, many in scoring position.