:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46022408/usa-today-7942891.0.jpg)
Today's starting pitchers were JMU's LHP Tucker McCoy (1-1, 5.91 era) vs. Maryland's Kevin Mooney (0-0, 0.00 era). Both McCoy and Mooney are relievers getting a rare start. But that's where the similarities end, as batters are hitting .366 off McCoy while Mooney has been lights out.
JMU had a strange line-up, with all nine batters swinging from the right side.
Terps jump out on top via a Lowe home run
With one-out in the top of the second, Mooney plunked two JMU hitters in succession. Kyle Weston walked to load the bases. After a strike out, Michael Sciorra hit a swinging bunt that Mooney fielded, and then flipped to Kevin Martir to nip the runner from third base. Since Mooney was on a pitch count, Brian Shaffer took the mound to start the third inning. The freshman put the Dukes down in order, striking out two batters.
The Terps' bats were quiet through the first two innings, as well as the first two batters in the third. Then with two outs in the inning, Brandon Lowe lifted a fly ball that kept carrying, bouncing off the top of the fence for a home run: Lowe's sixth of the year.
Shaeffer's breaking ball was consistently on target, and combined with Mooney's outing, Maryland pitchers had held JMU hitless through four innings. However, the Terps had only two hits themselves.
Terps stretch lead to three runs
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Anthony Papio led off with a walk, and was sacrificed over to second. He went to third on a fly to right. Lowe walked, and with Kevin Smith batting, McCoy unleashed a wild pitch that scored Papio: the Terps led 2-0. In the next inning, Tim Lewis almost had his first career home run, when he hit a drive off the right field wall for a triple. Papio singled through the right side to put the Terps up 3-0.
Shaffer was pitching really well, constantly getting his slider over for strikes. His final line: 6ip, 1h, 0r, 2bb, 6so. :
In the bottom of the eighth Cuas walked and Cieri was HBP. Lewis grounded into a force out, so runners were on the corners. But Papio struck out and Biondic flew out.
Alex Robinson took the hill for the Terrapins in the ninth inning. He retired the side in order.
Brian Shaffer moved to 2-0 on the year, with Alex Robinson getting his second save. The Terps are 19-7 overall.