NCAA Super Regional: Cavs score 3 in 9th to beat Terps 5-4

After yesterday's bitter loss, the Terps had their backs to the wall today. Maryland has to win the next two games to advance to Omaha next week. The Terps sent out RHP Ryan Selmer (3-1, 1.86 era) to face Virginia's LHP Brian Waddell (3-5, 4.12 era).

First inning fireworks end up with Terps down 2-1

Maryland scored right away, but left a bit on the table. LaMonte Wade walked, and went to second on a bunt by Kevin Smith. After Brandon Lowe grounded out to short, Kevin Martir walked. Nick Cieri singled through the box to put the Terps up 1-0. Jose Cuas got an infield hit to load the bases. But Anthony Papio struck out to end the top of the first.

With one out, Daniel Pinero singled past the diving Cuas. Matt Thaiss sliced an opposite field double that tied the score. Kenny Towns lined a single to center that put Virginia on top 2-1. Virginia's fourth staright hit came via a hard hit single by Pavin Smith. That prompted coach Bellanger to pull Selmer in favor of LHP Robert Galligan. Robbi Coman hit a lazy fly to center that LaMonte Wade made a great catch on. The dangerous Joe McCarthy hit a grounder in the right side hole. However, Lowe was positioned perfectly, and thus was able to throw out McCarthy.

Starting off the top of the third, Lowe singled past Pinero. When he made the turn at first, Lowe went down in pain. He had to come out of the game, replaced by Pat Hisle.

Back-to-back-to-back bunts squeeze out a run

Papio drilled an opposite field double, and then was sacrificed to third. Kevin Biondic laid down a safety squeeze. Papio started towards home, and then held up. Biondic ended up beating the throw to first. Wade also tried a safety squeeze, and was successful, tying the score.

In the top of the fifth, Smith lined a single to right center. Hisle bunted Smith to second. Maryland took the lead when Martir singled in Smith.

On the bump, Galligan allowed just two singles and two walks through 6.2 innings.

Papio's triple puts Terps up 4-2

In the top of the eighth, Martir ripped a single to left. Cieri sacrificed Martir to second. After Cuas struck out, Papio hit a shot to right center for an RBI triple.

Galliigan was on the bump in the bottom of the eighth. Pinero lined a one-out single. Thaiss hit a wormburner that Hisle was able to grab, and proceeded to throw out the runner. Towns then grounded out.

Virginia scores three in the ninth to win 5-4

RHP Alex Bettinger relieved Waddell in the ninth, and retired the side in order. So we went to the bottom of the ninth with the Terps holding on to a 4-2 lead. Galligan came out for the bottom of the ninth. Pavin Smith drew a lead-off walk, bringing the tying run to the plate. Coman followed with a single up the middle. The bases were loaded when McCarthy drew a walk. That finally ended Galligan's day, after a heroic 7.2 innings and 114 pitches. Up at the plate was yesterday's hero for Virginia, Ryan Doherty. Mooney walked Doherty to bring home Smith. Clement then stroked a single to left that gave the Cavaliers a 5-4 victory.