Photo courtesy of Ashley Ray/Maryland Terrapins
Something about the light rain coming down over Bob “Turtle” Smith stadium flipped a switch in the Terrapins’ lineup. Whatever it was, it helped Maryland to generate five runs in one inning to beat Nebraska 12-5.
Maryland overcame a rough start from Kyle McCoy to take the first game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Friday in College Park.
The Terps rode a crucial five-run seventh inning to pull away from the Cornhuskers.
As the rain came down, the Terps faced right-handed pitcher Tucker Timmerman, who was in his fourth inning of work. He had matched McCoy run for run since entering the game and had only given up one run in three innings.
Hollis Porter cleared the bases with a home run, just missing the center field wall. Aden Hill followed with a solo home run of his own. Eddie Hacopian added to the scoring by stealing home on a passed ball, and Liam Willson ducked under a tag for the final run of the inning.
Willson’s slide into home under the tag survived a challenge from Nebraska, but for Willson himself, there was never any doubt.
“I’m always confident I’m safe,” Willson said, smiling.
Regardless of the rain, Swope was happy to see a big offensive inning come together at the right time.
“I just think overall the process was really good,” Swope said. “When they walked [Eddie Hacopian], we took advantage of it and punished [the pitcher] a little bit. So it’s always nice when you can get a multi-home run game.”
Porter’s home run was just part of a very productive night. He went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs. On the basepath, the 6’4”, 225lb Porter sprinted from second base to get a run out of a single into left field.
Despite an early struggle to avoid contact, McCoy regained composure and allowed just one run in the following four innings.
Cornhuskers shortstop Dylan Carey tagged McCoy for a deep home run into left field, bouncing off the roof of the Stanley Bobb performance center. The second inning was not much better for McCoy, giving up two runs on three hits.
But after tossing a scoreless third inning, McCoy only gave up one run before getting pulled after the sixth inning.
Logan Hastings took over for McCoy and finished the game, and in doing so, recorded his first save.
“I liked just being able to come in and try and give us the best chance to win,” Hastings said.
The Terps will be celebrating Maryland Day tomorrow with game two of the series.
