Maryland baseball: Buckeyes hold on to nip Maryland 13-12

Robert Galligan (2-3, 2.27 era) took the mound for the Terps, facing hard throwing RHP Travis Lakins (3-3, 3.55 era). Neither pitcher had memorable games. But then again, most of the pitchers today had forgettable afternoons,

Both teams see-saw two-run innings

With one out in the bottom of the first, Connor Sabanash and Pat Porter singled. Troy Kuhn struck out, but Ronnie Dawson ripped a double down the right-field line to put the Buckeyes on top 2-0. The Terrapins answered right back in the top of the second after two batters were retired. Jamal Wade singled, as did Tim Lewis. Kengo Kawahara walked to load the bases. The score was knotted at 2-2 after LaMonte Wade singled to left.

Ohio State worked some two-out magic of their own in the bottom of the inning. Craig Nenning singled, and then stole second. Ryan Leffel was HBP. Troy Montgomery tripled to deep center field to make it 4-2 Ohio State.

Teams continue to trade runs

The Buckeyes added another run in the third inning. Kuhn walked. Dawson followed by singling to left field. Zach Ratcliff singled through the middle to put the Buckeyes up by three runs.

The Terps grabbed the run back in the top of the fourth. Kawahara singled with one out. A poor pick-off throw by Lakins sent Kawahara to third base. LaMonte Wade singled to plate Kawahara.

Ryan Selmer was on the bump for Maryland in the bottom of the inning. The Buckeyes scored one again when Sabanash singled in a run. But the Terps got the run right back when Cuas hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth: Ohio State led 6-4.

Ohio State builds a 13-4 lead

Ronnie Dawson continued his torrid hitting by doubling off the top of the wall in left field in the bottom of the inning. He went to third on a passed ball. With the Maryland infield playing in, Nick Sergakis grounded straight to Kevin Smith, who checked the runner. But Smith's throw to first was off-target and Dawson came home, with Sergakis taking second. Jake Drossner relieved Selmer. A single and a walk loaded the bases. Ohio State scored a run on a wild pitch. Montgomery was walked to load the bases. Taylor Bloom came in to stop the bleeding. That didn't happen. Sabanash hit a grand slam. A walk and a double made it 13-4 Buckeyes.

Maryland stages frantic comenack

At that point it would have been easy to just fold the tent and say the series was split so far. That's not the Terrapins' persona, and they started a comeback in the next inning. The brothers Wade each hit solo shots to close the gap to 13-6. Things got really interesting in the seventh inning. Lowe reached on a throwing error by the Buckeye's second baseman, with Lowe making it into scoring position. Martir singled up the middle to drive home Lowe. Cuas and Papio singled to load the bases. Jamal Wade hit into a 6-4-3 double play, and Martir scored. Lewis doubled in the right center field gap for n RBI double. At the seventh inning break the Terps trailed 13-9.

The Terps continued their comeback in the eighth inning. LaMonte Wade got an infield hit and Smith walked. Lowe lined a double down the right field line, scoring both runners. After Martir popped out, Lowe stole thrid and came home on a ground out by Cuas. The score was 13-12 going to the ninth inning.

With one out Lewis singled up the middle, then Kevin Biondic was HBP. LaMonte Wade skied out to center field, and Smith fouled out to first to leave the Terps one run short.

It was an epic game. Maybe not pretty, and certainly one the Terps could have won if their pitching stood up better. In the end it was a tough loss, but the series is tied and Maryland can take it with a win tomorrow.

Galligan was the losing pitcher, now 2-4 on the year. The Terps dropped to 34-17 overall, 12-8 in the B1G.