Shortstop Blake Schmit went 3-for-4 with two runs scored in the Terps’ 10-1 win over Delaware on March 11, 2014.
The Terrapins baseball team entered this weekend with two ACC series victories. And after a 2-0 victory Friday over Notre Dame, the Terps were in prime position to win another conference series.
While the Terps fell behind early Saturday, they used a big inning to take the lead and cruised to a 6-2 win over the Fighting Irish at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium. Right-hander Mike Shawaryn allowed two runs in 6.2 innings to pick up his team-leading eighth win, which ties a Terps single-season record.
“That was a much-needed win,” coach John Szefc said. “It’s always a little bit better when you come from behind and that’s clearly the case today. Our pitching staff did a great job. Shawaryn struggled early, and after that it was all zeros.”
Shawaryn, who won five of his first six starts, entered this weekend tied for third in the ACC with seven victories. But he struggled early and allowed two hits, including a two-run homer, in the first two innings.
With two outs in the second inning, Fighting Irish left fielder Ryan Bull blasted a two-run homer to right center. After the homer, Shawaryn settled down and retired 12 straight batters.
The Terps (27-19, 11-14 ACC), who scored two runs in the first inning Friday, were held in check for the first three innings and tailed one hit. They took advantage of Fighting Irish’s (17-29, 4-20) defensive mistakes in the fourth, though, and scored three runs on three hits.
First baseman LaMonte Wade scored after Fighting Irish right fielder Robert Youngdahl couldn’t make a sliding catch and shortstop Blake Schmit, who went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored, was credited with a double and an RBI.
Left fielder Tim Lewis, the next batter, put down a bunt, and when Hearne threw to first, second baseman Brandon Lowe scampered home. With two outs, shortstop Phil Mosey’s throw sailed wide of the first base bag, and right fielder Michael Montville scored.
“When you get a three-run inning, it’s hard for an opposing team to bounce back,” Schmit said. “We came from behind so it’s a good win.”
The Terps tacked on an insurance run in the fifth. With two outs, Lowe hit an RBI double off the right field wall to push the lead to 4-2. Lowe went 3-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.
Shawaryn exited the game in the seventh with two outs and the bases loaded, and left-hander Ben Brewster replaced him. A high pitch from Brewster bounced off catcher Kevin Martir’s glove, and when Martir threw to second to pick off a runner, Fighting Irish designated hitter Forrest Johnson tried to score from third. Johnson ran into Martir, but he held onto the ball.
The two exchanged words after the play, and both benches cleared. Martir and Johnson were separated, however, and no punches were thrown.
The Terps, meanwhile, produced a crucial two-out hit with the bases loaded in the seventh. With runners on second and third, the Fighting Irish intentionally walked Schmit. Lewis then singled through the right side of the infield, which drove in two runs.
“We came up clutch,” Schmit said. “We did our jobs and our pitchers bared down and in the top of the seventh they did their job.”
The Terps didn’t falter against an inferior opponent and won another conference series by taking care of business on its home field.
“In theory if we’re doing what we should be doing that is what should happen at home,” Szefc said. “It’s nice when it happens but in theory that’s what we expect to happen.”
