5-run third inning pushes Maryland baseball past Georgetown 11-2

Photo by Kevin Snyder/Maryland Terrapins. Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics.

In the first midweek game of the season, Maryland baseball run-ruled Georgetown 16-3. In their penultimate midweek contest on Tuesday, the Terps had similar success.

Maryland (22-23, 6-15 Big Ten) scored five first-inning runs, breaking the game open early and allowing it to secure an 11-2 win over Georgetown (22-23, 4-8 Big East). The win completed the two-game season sweep against the Hoyas.

After minimal action through the first two innings, Maryland baseball loaded the bases with one out in the third inning. 

A station moving base hit from freshman Bud Coombs scored the first run of the game. That was just the start for the Terps in the frame. A sac fly, single and double all scored Maryland baserunners, resulting in a five-run inning that gave the Terps a comfortable early lead.

Sophomore Paul Jones II, who knocked an RBI double, added to Maryland’s lead two innings later with a two-run home run down the right field line. Jones finished the day with three runs of his own.

Two other Maryland hitters recorded multiple RBIs in Tuesday’s matchup. Freshman shortstop Ty Kaunas got two helpers off his two base hits, bringing his season total to 37 RBIs. Fellow first year Terp Nate Hawton-Henley hit a pair of sacrifice flies to a pair of runners home.

Jake Yeager got the midweek start for the Terps. The right-hander could not make it through a full inning in his last appearance, surrendering eight runs to Michigan State in the series finale.

But the sophomore was much better on Tuesday.

Yeager featured much better control, striking out three of the seven batters he faced and issuing just two walks. He also forced quick at-bats, recording two first-pitch groundouts.

Freshman Nic Morlang took over in the third inning, looking to protect a five-run lead. The right-hander also saw less than an inning of action in the final game against Michigan State. 

Morlang gave up three runs in the series finale against the Spartans, but had more success against the Hoyas on Tuesday. Morlang allowed just one run across a pair of innings on a solo shot from Georgetown first baseman Ashton Seymore.

The Terps’ bullpen continued to thrive the rest of the game, as four pitchers combined to pitch the final five innings, issuing just one run and generating nine strikeouts. The lone run came on a solo home run by centerfielder Dylan Larkins in the fifth inning.

Maryland will need to continue to pitch well heading into its Big Ten series against Michigan. The Terps have just three conference series remaining and currently sit outside the Big Ten playoff picture.