Maryland baseball: Terps drops second straight to Rutgers, 7-5

Despite a three-run bottom of the ninth inning on Saturday afternoon, Maryland baseball lost its second straight game to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 7-5. The Terrapins now sit at 25-24, ninth in the Big Ten.

Kevin Smith hit a three-run homer off  Max Herrmann to start what the Terps hoped would the late rally, bringing home Marty Costes and Nick Dunn. Maryland ultimately fell short when Jamal Wade flew out to right with Manny Nickens on third. Smith finished with four RBI on two hits.

Maryland pitcher Taylor Bloom let up six earned runs off nine hits in seven innings for Maryland, striking out two and walking three. John O'Reilly also pitched seven innings, but fared much better than his counterpart. He allowed two runs (one earned), while striking out three batters and walking three for Rutgers.

Rutgers' original 2-0 leading in the second inning was matched by Maryland, before it broke the game loose. Justin Morris doubled to score Kevin Biondic in the bottom of the second. The Terps then evened the score in the third off a Smith single which sent Anthony Papio home.

Maryland and Rutgers will finish the series at noon on Sunday.