Maryland’s offense hits four home runs in 13-8 win over Towson

Photo courtesy of Chris Lyons/Maryland Athletics

With a three-run lead and two runners on base, Michael Iannazzo stepped up to the plate in the biggest spot of his young career. The freshman worked the 0-2 count with two outs and eventually blooped a perfectly placed double down the left-field line between the shortstop and left fielder.

The base hit scored both runners and gave Maryland a five-run lead.

Maryland (29-17, 8-10 Big Ten) used its five-run eighth inning to outpace Towson (10-34, 3-15 CAA) 13-8 on Tuesday at John B. Schuerholz Park.

Maryland elected to start Ryan Van Buren in Tuesday’s matchup. Van Buren had not pitched since allowing four runs through 1.2 innings against Georgetown on Apr. 9. Since that outing, he has been a bullpen option for the Terps, pitching in two games and allowing just one run through five combined innings.

The righty struggled in his return as a starter. His problems started early as the first two batters reached safely after Van Buren went ahead in the count 0-2. 

Devin Russell was able to help Van Buren, throwing out lead-off hitter Elijah Dickerson, attempting to steal second base. But he couldn’t aid the pitcher in the following at-bat when Jordan Peyton belted the game’s second solo home run to even the score 1-1.

Van Buren’s struggles continued in the following inning as four consecutive hits to lead off the inning scored three runs. The three runs ended his outing, allowing five earned runs over just 1.1 innings.

But Towson didn’t stop in the second inning as a pair of self-inflicted wounds by the Maryland defense and Peyton’s second home run in as many innings gave the Tigers a 7-2 advantage.

Van Buren’s short outing forced coach Matt Swope to go to the bullpen early in the game. The bullpen was spectacular, using just two pitchers and holding the Tigers’ offense to just three runs across 7.2 innings pitched. 

“It saves our arms,” Swope said on using just two pitchers. “It really helps us out where we can take another few days off.”

The Tigers scored seven times in the first two innings, but the Maryland bullpen limited the Tiger’s offense and gave Maryland a chance to make another comeback.

Sam Hojnar powered Maryland’s offense in its series finale win against Illinois, recording two home runs and driving in four of Maryland’s 11 runs.

Hojnar provided the same power stroke against Towson, blasting two more home runs, bringing his total to four over his past two games. Hojnar showcased his power early, blasting a two-out pitch over the right-field fence in the opening frame. 

“I was just trying to find something elevated in the first at-bat,” Hojnar said. “I got a slider up in the zone…[and] I was a little out in front but got enough on it to hook it around the foul pole.”

After a six-run second frame from Towson, Maryland responded with a big inning of their own and did most of its damage with the long ball. The Terps wore out the left field fence as a trio of home runs to left from Hojnar, Russell and Chris Hacopian scored four runs, aiding Maryland in evening the game at seven.

“I thought the offense was relentless,” Swope said. “I thought that was pretty much the game in the third [inning], being able to come all the way back in one inning.”

The Terps’ offense was powered by home runs all game long, as five of their 13 runs came on home runs.

“This park is conducive to [home runs],” Swope said. “This park is short down the line, so guys [took] advantage of that.”

After each team took turns taking the lead, Maryland blew the game wide open in the third inning. Hojnar continued to terrorize the Tigers’ pitching staff, this time ripping a single into right field for his third RBI of the game. The Terps added to their lead with a pair of hits from Jacob Orr and Ianazzo to take a 13-8 advantage.

The Terps will stay on the road as they head to Rutgers for a crucial weekend series on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The series will round out on Saturday at noon and Sunday at 1 p.m.