The Terps had just five hits Wednesday.
Maryland baseball, coming fresh off its first series win of the season, looked to continue its momentum Wednesday as it makes a postseason push.
Its start was successful, with the Terps taking early advantage of James Madison errors. Maryland jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning, but a clutch two-RBI triple by the Dukes’ Eli Steadman sparked a back-and-forth affair into life.
The Terps stayed resilient, pulling away in the 10th inning behind a clutch double from Hollis Porter and a wild pitch that brought home another runner. Timely plays ultimately gave Maryland a 6-4 win Wednesday evening at Veterans Memorial Park.
After a scoreless first inning in which both teams left a runner stranded, Maryland put pressure on the Dukes in the second. A throwing error by James Madison starter Todd Mozoki allowed Alex Calarco to reach base. Aiden Hill followed on a fielder’s choice that saw Calarco tagged, then Paul Jones II singled through the left side to move Hill forward. But with a runner on third base, Parker Corbin flied out to center, ending the Terps’ threat.
Maryland finally broke through in the third inning after Lane Duff replaced Mozoki. Brayden Martin reached on a fielding error and Chris Hacopian was hit by a pitch, giving the Terps two runners on base with no outs. A single to right by Hollis Porter loaded the bases before Eddie Hacopian worked a bases loaded walk to score Martin and put the Terps on the board.
Just moments later, Jacob Orr grounded into double play, allowing Chris Hacopian to score from third. A failed steal cost the Terps another chance, yet they still left the inning with two unearned but appreciated runs.
Brayden Ryan, who started on the mound for Maryland, stifled James Madison’s offense through five innings, allowing just three hits while striking out six. In the sixth inning, he faced his first jam. After a leadoff single and a stolen base by James Madison’s Ryan Dooley, the right-handed pitcher walked Wyatt Peifer.
That set the stage for Steadman, who laced a triple to right-center field to bring home two runners and tie the game. A sacrifice fly on the next at-bat scored Steadman and gave the Dukes a 3-2 advantage. After another batter, Ryan exited the game, finishing with four strikeouts in 5.2 innings.
Maryland quickly responded in the top of the seventh inning, starting with a leadoff walk to Hill. Jones II followed with a walk of his own, and Corbin laid down a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. Brayden Martin drove in a run on a fielder’s choice, and Chris Hacopian added another with a second consecutive fielder’s choice, giving Maryland a 4-3 lead.
But the Dukes’ bullpen slammed the door from there — the Terps failed to manage any hits through the eighth and ninth innings.
Meanwhile, James Madison added another run in the eighth inning when Peifer launched a solo homer to right center, tying the game 4-4 and ultimately sending the game to extra innings.
Three things to know
1. Back-and-forth battle. The game featured a true back-and-forth battle. Maryland’s early lead went to James Madison in the sixth inning, but the Terps quickly seized it back in the following frame before the Dukes tied things in the eighth inning.
2. Midgame moments. James Madison’s three-run sixth inning was a turning point, as the Dukes capitalized on a few wild pitches and had some timely hitting to take control.
Pitching decisions. Both teams leaned on their bullpen late, and Maryland’s decision to bring in closer Cristofer Cespedes played a huge role in the victory. He shut down the Dukes in the 10th inning, preventing a rally while Maryland’s offense delivered the knockout punch.