Maryland baseball’s comeback falls short in 8-5 loss to George Mason

Maryland baseball couldn’t come back from a 7-0 deficit Wednesday, falling 8-5 at George Mason.

In what has become a familiar story for midweek games, Maryland found itself in a deep hole after the first two innings. In previous games the Terps were almost always able to pull out a thrilling victory. But that was not to be the case Wednesday, as Brandon Gum’s former team pulled it out.

Marty Costes had three hits and four RBIs, including a three-run homer. Kevin Smith returned to the lineup after being out with an injury, serving as the designated hitter. He hit a solo home run in his first game back in 11 days.

Zach Jancarski had four hits and Brandon Gum had two himself. Although Ryan Hill and Mike Rescigno kept the Terps alive, the Patriot relievers managed to help George Mason hang onto the lead.

The Terps fell behind again

George Mason scored two runs in the first after two were out. Hunter Parsons quickly dispatched the first two batters, but then trouble struck. Logan Driscoll singled and went to second on a wild pitch. Trevor Kelly hit a shallow RBI single and advanced to second on a wild pitch, and he came home on a bloop single by Tyler Nelin.

Things weren’t any better in the second. Two singles and a double made it 3-0 Patriots. Jared Price relieved Parsons. An infield single made it 4-0. Kelly executed a hit and run, singling as Hisle went to cover second on a steal attempt. Watson bobbled the ball and the sixth Patriot run scored. A passed ball allowed Kelly to dash home and put George Mason in front 7-0.

Costes and Smith go yard to halve the deficit

Maryland managed to put a dent in the Patriots’ lead in the top of the third. With two down, Zach Jancarski hit a single to left. Brandon Gum hit a hard chopper that glanced off the pitcher’s glove for an infield hit. Marty Costes then sent a shot to left for a three-run homer.

Things almost got away from the Terps in the bottom of the third. A hit batsman and an error on a potential double play ground ball to Nick Dunn put the first two runners aboard. A bunt sacrificed the runners to second and third, and a sac fly from Michael Smith made it 8-3 Patriots. An infield hit and a walk loaded the bases, and Ryan Hill relieved Price. Hill got Kelly to fly out, stranding three Patriot runners.

Smith, back in the lineup at DH, led off the fifth by hitting a solo home run. One batter later, Jancarski doubled in the left-center field gap, and Gum stroked a single to put runners on the corners. After Costes looped a fly ball down the right field line for an RBI single, Maryland had cut it to 8-5.

In the Terrapin seventh, Jancarski led off with his third hit of the game, a single to left. Costes singled one out later, but both were stranded as Dunn and Watson skied to center.

Hill and Mike Rescigno combined to pitch 5.1 scoreless innings, keeping the Terps in the game.

Ninth inning rally ends strangely

With one out in the top of the ninth, Jancarski singled and Gum walked. Costes also walked, loading the bases. Dunn hit a potential double play ball to second, and the first base umpire called him safe. However the second base umpire ruled that Costes had impeded the shortstop’s throw, and Dunn was ruled out.

With the loss, the Terps fall to 21-11. Hunter Parsons took the decision and is now 0-2. Maryland hosts Penn State this weekend.