With two outs and N.C. State baserunners on first and second base in the top of the ninth inning Sunday, Pratt Maynard, the Wolfpack’s dangerous left-handed designated hitter, strode to the plate having already homered once in the game.

Closer Dan Gentzler had already pitched 1.2 innings and seemed to be losing his effectiveness with every pitch. By conventional baseball logic, it seemed the perfect time to bring in a situational lefty to face Maynard — only the Terps didn’t have any left.

A recent rib injury to versatile left-hander Adam Kolarek had left his status for the rest of the season in doubt, and the only other left-handed relievers, John Dischert and Jimmy Reed, had already pitched in the blowout loss.

Out of options, coach Erik Bakich left Gentzler in the game against Maynard, who smacked his second offering over the center field fence to put the finishing touches on a 22-6 romp.

It was just the latest exercise in frustration for Bakich, who has seen his ability to build depth and play to favorable matchups hampered by a slew of injuries.

“Losing Adam is big for us not only because he has been an effective pitcher for us this season,” Bakich said. “It’s important because we don’t have a lot of lefties, and he could pitch out of multiple roles for us. We just have to keep plugging away and finding guys to step up and fill those roles.”

Unfortunately for the Terps, Kolarek’s absence isn’t the only hole that has needed filling this season.

First baseman Curtis Lazar, a projected starter, hurt his wrist earlier this season, forcing Bakich to platoon Gentzler and Kolarek at a position unfamiliar to them.

Catcher Tyler Bennett, one of the team’s best offensive players last season, is continuing to rehabilitate from offseason Tommy John surgery.

When he first took the job, Bakich said he hoped to build his roster so he could enjoy the type of depth available at the conference’s elite teams.

But he also knew the team would be devoid of proven talent, a fact that has become even more painfully evident as the Terps try to weather their torrent of injuries.

“With our roster limitations, there is already not a lot of room for error,” Bakich said. “[Kolarek] isn’t the first key guy we have lost this year. But that isn’t something that we can control, and we aren’t going to use that as an excuse for our struggles.”

lemaire@umdbk.com