Powerhouse offense leads Maryland baseball to 15-8 victory over George Washington

Leading by two runs in the sixth inning, Maryland baseball looked to add onto its lead in what had been a back-and-forth game thus far. 

After Matt Shaw and Ian Petrutz both walked, Eddie Hacopian stepped up to the plate with two on and no outs. 

On the fifth pitch of a 2-2 count, the sophomore blasted a home run shot into left, extending the Maryland lead to three and giving it an advantage it would never relinquish.

The Terps (22-14) defeated George Washington (13-25) 15-8, securing their first midweek victory in three weeks. 

Junior right-hander Nate Haberthier got the start for Maryland. In 3.1 innings, Haberthier allowed eight hits and five earned runs, but the bats offered room for lots of mistakes, putting up 15 total runs. 

The Colonials began the scoring in the first. With runners on first and second, fifth-year second baseman Noah Levin singled to center, driving home senior left fielder Steve DiTomaso from second. It was Levin’s 23rd RBI of the season. 

The Terps promptly responded in the top of the second. After drawing a leadoff walk and stealing second, Hacopian advanced to third following a sac fly to center by sophomore right fielder Zach Martin. Hacopian reached home the next at-bat after senior left fielder Bobby Zmarzlak flew out to center, tying the game at one.

Freshman left-hander Colton Trisch walked three straight batters after the run, loading the bases for Maryland with two outs. Trisch was pulled after the third walk for freshman right-hander Colin Ruddy, ending his day at 1.2 innings pitched. While Trisch didn’t allow a hit, the freshman walked five batters.

The pitching change didn’t affect the Terps, as Maryland recorded another run the next at bat. Senior third baseman Nick Lorusso lined an RBI single to third, bringing home sophomore center fielder Elijah Lambros for the lead. 

The lead was short-lived, however. With fifth-year first baseman Michael Kohn on third, junior shortstop Bryan Belo lined an RBI single through the left side, tying the game at two. 

George Washington then retook the lead the following inning. With runners on first and second, third baseman Robby Wacker drove a single to center, giving way for a sliding finish at home by junior right fielder Eddie Micheletti Jr. 

But the Maryland scoring continued in the fourth. With two on and one out, Shaw launched a three-run homer into left, giving Maryland a 5-3 lead. The home run was Shaw’s 13th of the season, the second most on the team. 

The Colonials managed to get it back within one in the bottom half following an RBI double by sophomore center fielder Sam Gates. The hit was Gates’ 23rd RBI of the season.

The fourth was Haberthier’s last of the game, getting yanked for fifth-year right-hander Kenny Lippman after the Gates hit. 

A one-run fifth inning made it a two run lead for the Terps again in the fifth. Junior catcher Luke Shliger dropped an RBI single into right field with one out, sending Zmarzlak home. 

Hacopian extended the lead to 9-4 the next inning after a three-run home run into deep left. The home run was Hacopian’s third of the year, starting an offensive explosion for the Terps. 

Maryland continued the scoring in the next frame with a six-run seventh inning. After a pair of RBIs from Shaw and Hacopian, Zmarzlak crushed a grand slam into center to make it a 15-4 Maryland lead.

The Colonials added four runs in the ninth but it was too late, as George Washington suffered its 25th loss of the season.

The Terps return to the diamond tomorrow against James Madison. The game will take place at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium at 6:30 p.m.