Maryland baseball defeated by Michigan 2-1 in extras

Photo courtesy of Mason Fullerton/Maryland Athletics.

Maryland baseball had allowed 10 or more runs in three straight conference games coming into Friday’s game – the Terps only gave up two in the series opener against Michigan.

That proved to be one too many. Maryland’s offense –the Big Ten leader in runs – couldn’t get going against the Wolverines.

Maryland (22-24, 6-16) came up short in the series opener against Michigan (28-17, 13-9), losing 2-1 in 10 innings.

Cristofer Cespedes got the Friday start for the Terps. The towering right-hander had made 18 appearances coming into the game – all in relief.

Michigan threatened first in the second, when back-to-back walks put a runner in scoring position. Cespedes found the zone on a full-count fastball to get the strikeout, ending the inning.

That was the only real threat the Wolverines had for a while – Cespedes carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Michigan broke it up when shortstop Drew Culbertson striped a ball past the outstretched glove of Maryland’s third baseman for a leadoff double.

A five pitch walk added a second Wolverine runner and brought pitching coach Jimmy Jackson to the mound for a visit. A mishandled ground ball negated a potential inning ending double play and loaded the bases. Michigan broke the scoreless tie with a groundout, but a run down ended the inning, limiting the damage to one run.

Cespedes’ night ended after a season high six innings pitched. One hit and an unearned run were the only blemishes for the New York native.

Sophomore pitcher Lance Williams entered in the seventh with the score tied at one. The right-hander flexed his high velocity early, striking out eight batters through three innings to end regulation.

Williams remained on the mound as the game went into extras. Designated hitter Joonsung Park took advantage, launching a leadoff homer to take a 2-1 lead that ended up being the game’s final run.

It was slow going for the Terps offense all game.

Kurt Barr, the regular Friday starter for the Wolverines, took the mound first for his 12th start of the season.

Maryland struggled early against the right-hander, only generating one hit through the first three innings. The Terps bats weren’t able to punch the ball through the infield – four of their first nine outs came on ground balls.

A fourth inning leadoff double from freshman infielder Bud Coombs gave Maryland its first big chance of the game. Barr responded by striking out the side, keeping Coombs stranded.

After groundouts in his first two plate appearances, junior Brayden Martin extended his NCAA leading on-base streak to 76 games with a double in the sixth inning. A walk put Coombs back on base.

Head coach Matt Swope recognized the speed on the basepath and sent both runners, stealing second and third. Martin now has 18 stolen bases on the season – the second most in the Big Ten.

Martin scored off a groundout from junior David Mendez, getting the Terps their only run of the game. 

After another walk, Barr was pulled from the game and Gavin DeVooght took the mound with runners on the corners and two outs. A big strikeout ended the inning and kept the game tied. 

Maryland had chances in the ninth. Mendez got on base to lead off the bottom of the frame, but a double play brought the Terps to the last out in regulation. Freshman Ty Kaunas stepped up and launched a ball to left that died out at the warning track.

The Terps ended with just one run off six hits. They’ll need to get the offense on track to avoid dropping the series against Michigan on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.