Following a 9-1 loss to West Virginia on Friday, the Terps needed more production from their lineup on Saturday in a win or go home game against UMBC.
The Terps got just that, putting up more than enough runs in a 16-2 win over the Retrievers. With the victory, the Terps live to see another day in the NCAA Tournament.
Junior shortstop Kevin Smith’s productivity helped the Maryland offense explode on Saturday.
It all began with what seemed like a meaningless walk to Smith issued by UMBC starter Matt Chanin. Maryland was trailing 1-0 from a solo home run from Retrievers junior catcher Zack Bright.
Smith was the first Terps baserunner of the game. Although just a walk, it gave catcher Justin Morris a chance to hit with a runner on base. Morris delivered, sending a two-run home run over the right field wall to give Maryland a lead they never relinquished. Smith’s walk became the first of five walks issued to the next eight batters.
Smith had another key at-bat in the fourth inning that helped put the game out of reach for the Retrievers. After two walks and a UMBC error that made it 3-1 with Maryland in the lead, Smith sent a pitch off the center field batter’s eye for a three-run homer.
A Marty Costes walk with the bases loaded and a Nick Dunn RBI groundout made it a six run inning for the Terps. In the fourth inning, Maryland batters walked six times.
Leading 8-1, the offense kept its foot on the pedal, adding three more runs in the fifth to make it 11-1. Marty Costes added a two-run home run in the seventh to increase the lead to 13-1.
Then, it was Kevin Smith’s turn again. Smith sent his second three-run blast of the day over the left field fence to put the Terps up 16-1. UMBC scored a solo homerun in the eighth for their second — and final — run.
The 16 runs are a program record in an NCAA Tournament game. The Terps finished with 12 walks and had runners crowding the basepaths at all times.
Unlike Chanin, who only lasted three innings and gave up four earned runs, Maryland’s starter Taylor Bloom had an outstanding day on the mound going eight innings and only giving up two runs on seven hits. Sophomore Hunter Parsons pitched a scoreless ninth to secure the victory.
For the Terps’, it was the solid performance they needed in a game with the potential to be their last of the season. With the win, Maryland will play their next tournament game Sunday at noon against either West Virginia or Wake Forest. Once again, it will be a potential elimination game for the Terps.
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