Maryland baseball blanks Stetson, 7-0, in series opener

Maryland baseball opened its weekend series at Stetson with a 7-0 win Friday.

Last season, Hunter Parsons threw a two-hit shutout against Stetson, and he was almost as good this year. Parsons kept the Hatters off the board for seven innings,

On offense Maryland played long ball, hitting a season-high three home runs, more than enough for Parsons’ second victory over Stetson in two years. The Terps had solo home runs off the bats of Maxwell Costes, Randy Bednar and Taylor Wright. Bednar had two hits and three RBIs, and Wright collected three hits.

As expected, a pitcher’s duel emerged between Parsons and Stetson right-hander Robbie Peto. Both pitchers were dealing early, and Parsons was assisted by Justin Vought nailing two runners attempting to steal second.

Maryland did threaten in the first with two down, when Wright doubled and Costes walked. They each moved up a base on a passed ball, but were left stranded when Vought flied out.

Neither team was able to push a run across until the top of the sixth. With two away, Costes hit a no-doubter over the left-field fence for a 1-0 Terrapin lead. Peto was lifted after six innings, allowing only three hits, one run, one walk, and striking out nine Terps.

The Terps jumped on the new pitcher for two runs to stretch their lead to 3-0. Two walks and a Hatter throwing error loaded the bases with one out. Bednar then ripped a double past the third baseman to drive in two.

Parsons threw seven shutout innings, giving up six hits and one walk and striking out a season-high ten batters. In the eighth inning, he gave way to Nick Turnbull. The junior righty walked two batters around a strike out, and he was relieved by freshman left-hander Andrew Vail. Vail got a flyout, and right-hander Mark DiLuia retired the next batter.

The Terps blew open the game in the ninth. Bednar and Wright hit back-to-back shots that made it 5-0, and Benjamin Cowles and Tommy Gardiner each added RBI singles for a 7-0 Maryland lead.

John Murphy just needed seven pitches to retire the Hatters in order in the ninth.

Parsons got he victory to move to 3-0 on the year, and Maryland improved to 8-4 overall. The Terps and Hatters play the second game of their three-game series Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. ET.