Maryland baseball shut out by East Carolina, 4-0

Maryland baseball’s offense couldn’t get big hits Friday, falling to East Carolina 4-0 to open the series against the Pirates.

The Terps struggled to string together rallies, something that has been frequent this year. Despite collecting 10 hits, including at least one in seven innings, Maryland had more than one baserunner in an inning just twice and stranded nine runners on base.

Kevin Biondic looked to have a two-run home run in the first inning, but East Carolina left fielder Andrew Hendrickson reached over the fence and robbed him. That proved to be a sign of things to come.

In the sixth, Nick Dunn hit a leadoff double, but was caught stealing third to negate the baserunner. That decision cost the Terps, as Biondic blooped a double that would’ve scored Dunn had he not run. With Biondic on second, AJ Lee struck out to end the inning.

Maryland’s best chance to score came in the seventh inning, when the Terps loaded the bases with three singles for the top of the order. However, Zach Jancarski struck out and Dunn grounded out to second, failing to get a man home.

East Carolina starter Trey Benton lasted 6.2 innings, and although he allowed nine hits, he didn’t allow a run while striking out eight Terps in that span.

Marty Costes once again struggled at the plate, going hitless in four at bats with two strikeouts. Part of the reason the Terps’ offense is so inconsistent is because Costes hasn’t warmed up, but the team needs him to get it together before conference play begins.

Maryland’s starter, Taylor Bloom, was solid on the day. However, although he pitched well, it wasn’t enough to combat a difficult day for his offense.

In the third, a Lee error to lead off the inning opened the door for East Carolina, leading to a Bryant Packard singled that score two and gave the Pirates the lead.

Bloom found further trouble in the fifth, when East Carolina tagged the righty with two hits to get men in scoring position, leading to a Turner Brown sac fly. That wasn’t the last time Brown got to Bloom, as he took the right deep in the eighth to extend the lead to four.

In total, Bloom lasted eight innings, making him the only pitcher Maryland used on the night. Bloom allowed four runs, three of which were earned, on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

Maryland will look to bounce back tomorrow in the second game of the series in East Carolina. The Pirates and the Terps are scheduled to face off at 4 p.m. ET.