Today's opening contest of the three-game set against Appalachian State featured Mike Shawaryn (2-0) facing LHP Jeffrey Springs (0-0). As mentioned in the series preview, due to the frigid conditions in Maryland the series was moved to the Lakepoint Sports Complex in Emerson, Ga.
Note: Kevin Mooney did not travel with the team due to a strained back he suffered while warming up during last Sunday's game. RHP Jared Price and 1b Matt Oniffrey are back on the roster after missing the first two weekends due to injuries.
Cuas' shot sends Terps to a three run lead
With one out in the top of the first Michael Pierson got aboard via an infield hit. He moved to second when Shawaryn threw past Andrew Bechtold on a pick-off attempt: it was Maryland's first error of the 2015 season. But no problem, as Shawaryn struck out the nos. 3 and 4 hitters. But he didn't stop there, retiring eight in a row through three innings with five strikeouts.
With one out in the bottom of the third, Brandon Lowe was HBP. LaMonte Wade got his second hit in as many at bats when the Terps executed a perfect hit and run. Everyone was brought home as Jose Cuas launched a three-run blast to put the Terps in front 3-0: it was Cuas' first home run this year. Maryland was able to push another run across on a walk to Kevin Martir, an infield single by Tim Lewis, and an RBI single by Bechtold.
Hummel's home run only run Shawaryn gives up
Shawaryn had a 1-2-3 fourth inning, consistently blowing his fastball past Mountaineer batters. The only runner he allowed came on an infield hit.
There were two outs in the bottom of the fourth when Wade got on by an error. Cuas walked, and then the Terps pulled off a double steal. Nic Cieri walked to fill the bases. However Martir popped out to end the inning.
Zach Hummel started off the top of the sixth with a solo homer. It was the first hard-hit ball off Shawaryn, and pulled the Mountaineers within three runs. Shawaryn shrugged off the homer and retired six straight batters. But the Terps couldn't put anything together and were holding on to a 4-1 lead through seven innings.
No Mooney, but Bloom, Price, and Galligan seal the deal
Taylor Bloom came in for the Terrapins to start the eighth. Shawaryn's line: 7 ip, 2 h, 1 run, 0 bb, 12 so. The 12 strike outs were a career-high for Shawaryn. Bloom picked up where Shawaryn left off, retiring the side in order.
Papio began the bottom of the eighth with his second double of the game. The Terrapins did not elect to bunt Papio over to third. Kevin Smith struck out, and then Lowe walked. The runners advanced on a ground out by Wade. Cuas, who homered earlier in the game, grounded out to end the inning.
Jared Price made his season debut in the top of the ninth. After retiring the first hitter, Price gave up a double to Brandon Burris. That brought in Robert Galligan to try to close things out. After a ground out, Jaylin Davis jumped on the first pitch and lined a single to cut the Terps' lead to 4-2. It also brought the tying run to the plate, but Galligan got the dangerous Dillon Dobson to hit a grounder back to the mound.
Mike Shawaryn got the win to go 3-0 on the season. Rob Galligan records his first career save. The Terps improved to 6-1.