As Maryland baseball designated hitter Will Watson prepared for his ninth-inning at-bat against Illinois closer Joey Gerber, he realized Gerber was almost exclusively throwing fastballs. So, when he got to the plate representing the tying run in Maryland’s 8-6 loss Sunday afternoon, he jumped on a 1-0 fastball over the middle of the zone.

Watson, the first-year transfer from LSU Eunice who has predominantly served as coach John Szefc’s DH this season, lifted the ball over the right field fence. He was so excited by the game-tying blast that he nearly tripped rounding first base.

Watson’s fourth home run this season and second of the afternoon capped a four-run ninth inning that helped the Terps tie the game.

“I don’t know what happened there,” Watson said. “I almost ate the turf. It was a big situation [and] I was all hyped up. Looked to put a good swing on it. Happy I tied it there.”

Watson’s homer came after second baseman Nick Dunn plated two with a double to right field. The late offensive burst was notable because coach John Szefc’s team entered the ninth with just two runs and had scored four times over their last 17 innings.

Maryland, which hosts UMBC on Tuesday, had difficulty scoring against right-hander Matthew James, who entered Sunday’s start with an ERA above five. However, Watson capitalized on one of James’ mistakes in the sixth.

With a full count and two outs, Watson hit a solo home run to left field to score Maryland’s first run. However, the Terps were unable to use the hit to start a rally.

Center fielder Zach Jancarski’s ground ball in the seventh scored Maryland’s only other run entering the ninth, increasing the pressure on Dunn and Watson’s two-out at-bats.

Pinch-hitter Nick Cieri and Jancarski both walked to open the final frame, giving Dunn and Watson the opportunity to hit later in the inning. Dunn, whose 24 walks rank fourth on the team, planned to be patient before his two-out RBI hit.

“It’s what I was doing the whole game today,” Dunn said. “Be really patient, even if it means taking some strikes on borderline pitches.”

Dunn’s success against Gerber gave Watson a chance to tie the game, which he took advantage of with his home run.

“Looking to get the next guy to the plate,” Watson said of his approach entering the at-bat. “That’s what we did in that last inning.”

Mike Rescigno exits with injury, Andrew Miller allows late home run in return

Maryland right-hander Mike Rescigno, who pitched Wednesday against Towson after battling shoulder stiffness, entered Sunday’s contest but didn’t throw a pitch. Rescigno winced after throwing a warm-up pitch and walked off the field holding his right shoulder.

Szefc said Rescigno was still bothered by a stiff shoulder and would be re-evaluated Monday.

Rescigno has pitched 16.2 innings this season, posting a 5.40 ERA with a .284 batting average against.

While Rescigno could be sidelined moving forward, left-hander Andrew Miller pitched the ninth Sunday after missing about two weeks with an undisclosed injury. While he allowed the go-ahead home run in the bottom of the frame, Szefc was pleased with most of Miller’s outing.

“He threw the ball pretty well,” Szefc said. “It didn’t end up the way he wanted it to. For not pitching for two weeks, he had good velocity today.”

Terps drop out of Baseball America’s top-25

Maryland dropped out of Baseball America’s top-25 after losing two of three against the Fighting Illini in Champaign, Illinois. The Terps won Friday’s contest, 9-4, and beat Towson to secure its third Ripken Cup.

The Terps were ranked No. 23 entering the weekend series against Illinois, but their final road conference series reinforced the team’s struggles away from Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium. Maryland is 8-12 away from College Park this season.

Szefc’s squad is unranked in D1Baseball’s top-25 but earned the No. 25 spot in Perfect Game’s rankings this week.