Maryland baseball walks all over Elon, 12-4, to sweep midweek series

Maryland baseball defeated Elon 12-4 on Wednesday, sweeping the two-game road series. It’s the second series victory on the road for the Terps this season.

Maryland jumped out to a 9-0 lead, courtesy of Phoenix pitchers not finding the zone and some timely two-out hits from the Terps. Taylor Wright reached base four times on two singles and two walks, and scored three runs.

Maryland was opportunistic all game, taking advantage of the 12 walks and three hit batsmen by Elon pitchers.

Junior lefty Tuck Tucker made his first start on the mound as a Terrapin. He threw an impressive five innings, allowing only one run on one hit, walked one batter, and struck out five. Kody Milton made his first appearance as a pitcher, setting down the Phoenix 1-2-3 with two Ks. In all, the Terps held Elon to five hits for the second straight game, striking out ten Phoenix.

The Terps got on the board quickly, scoring five runs in the first inning. Right-hander Daniel Albrittain had trouble throwing strikes, and Maryland took full advantage. Chris Alleyne singled, and after walks to Wright, Marty Costes, and AJ Lee brought home a run. Sebastian Holte-Mancera and Caleb Walls each produced two-out, two-run singles, knocking Albrittain from the game. In the first inning alone the Terps were the beneficiaries of four walks and a hit batsman.

Maryland grabbed another run in the second inning. Wright led off with an infield single, went to second on a fielder’s choice, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a ground out by Justin Vought.

The onslaught continued in the third inning. A walk, hit batsman, and a two-out double by Randy Bednar made it 8-0. Wright singled home Bednar to push the Terrapin lead to nine runs.

Joe Satterfield got the Phoenix’s first hit, a solo home run to center leading off the bottom of the fifth. Maryland responded right away in the top of the sixth. The Terps loaded the bases on three walks. With two outs, Tommy Gardiner hit an opposite field single to bring home two Terps. Another run scored on a wild pitch to put Maryland up 12-1.

RHP Sean Heine pitched the sixth and allowed one run. LHP Sean Fisher gave up two more runs in the seventh on three hits to bring it to 12-4. Milton made his first pitching appearance of his career in the eighth. The freshman retired Elon in order, striking out two hitters. Mike Vasturia then came in and pitched a scoreless ninth.

Tucker got the win, his first as a Terp, and Maryland’s record improved to 12-8 overall. The Terps returns to action on Friday, hosting the Creighton Blue Jays at 6:30 p.m. ET.