:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46429864/usa-today-7942895.0.jpg)
Today's game pitted Maryland's Mike Shawaryn (12-2, 1.65 era) vs. Ole Miss' junior LHP Christian Trent (7-6, 3.70 era). Earlier today it was announced that Shawaryn was named a Louisville Slugger's first-team All-American.
This was the first game of Coach Szefc's suspension, with pitching coach Jim Bellanger serving as interim manager.
Terps go up quickly
The Terps jumped on top in their first at-bat. Kevin Smith smoked a double down the third base line. That was followed by a double in the right-center field gap by Brandon Lowe. Kevin Martir lined an opposite field double to put the Terps up by two runs. Jose Cuas singled to center, with Martir holding up at third base. Unfortunately, Nic Cieri hit a comebacker to Trent, who threw out Martir.
Ole Miss had a little action going in their half of the first. Will Golson deposited a single to center field, and Colby Bortles hit an infield single deep in the hole at short. However, Shawaryn ended up striking out the side with some nasty breaking balls.
Maryland got some hitters aboard in the 2nd and 3rd innings, but two runners caught stealing stifled rallies. Defensively, Maryland looked sharp, with outstanding plays by Lowe and Smith.
Maryland plays small ball to lead 3-0
Kevin Biondic led off the fourth with a single to right center, and went to second on a bunt by Tim Lewis. LaMonte Wade lined a single to right, and Biondic was held at third. Smith then laid down a suicide squeeze, and Biondic just beat Trent's diving attempt to tag him. Lowe struck out, and Smith became the third Terrapin to be gunned down attempting to steal.
Ole Miss came close to scoring in the fourth inning. Errol Robinson drew a two-out walk. Austin Knight was HBP. Shawaryn struck out the next batter for his sixth K of the game. However, through four innings Shawaryn had thrown 70 pitches.
Walks get Rebels back in the game
A leadoff walk and an errant pick-off attempt put a runner in scoring position with none out in the fifth inning. Shawaryn responded by striking out the next three batters. But the next inning didn't turn out so well. Sikes Orvis walked, as did Errol Robinson. Austin Knight walked to load the bases. At that point Robert Galligan came in to pitch. Pinch hitter Nic Perkins worked a walk to make it 3-1. Galligan struck out the next hitter, and the final out came on a liner that Lowe leaped up to snare. Shawaryn's final line: 5.1 ip, 2h, 1r, 5 bb, 9 so.
Lowe led off the seventh by getting HBP. He went to second on a wild pitch. Martir grounded out, and Ole Miss brought in RHP Jacob Waguespack. Lowe stole third. Cuas hit a grounder to third, and Lowe had to hold at third. Cieri was walked, as was Papio. Biondic grounded out, and the Terps had stranded 11 in this game.
Bobby Ruse took the hill for the Terrapins in the bottom of the seventh. He retired the side in order.
Wade's web gem catch helps seal the deal
Leading off the bottom of the eighth, Orvis hit a ball to deep center field. LaMonte Wade went back, and timed his leap perfectly to grab the ball just before it left the yard. The next two hitters went down quietly.
Kevin Mooney took the bump for the Terrapins in the ninth. He struck out the first two batters. Pinch hitter Henri Latrigue struck out looking, and the Terps won 3-1.
Maryland pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts, while allowing only two hits; none after the first inning. Mike Shawaryn got the victory to go 13-2 on the year, and the Terps overall record was 40-21. The 40 wins tied the record for most wins by a Terrapin squad, set by last year's team. Most importantly, the Terps advanced to play the winner of the UCLA - Cal State Bakersfield game.