University of Delaware Athletics
Nationally-ranked Maryland Snaps Delaware Win Streak as Hens Manage Just Four Hits in 2-0 Setback
3/6/2012 4:04:00 PM | Baseball
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Four University of Delaware pitchers held the University of Maryland lineup to just two runs, but the Blue Hens could manage just four hits and had their three-game win streak snapped in a 2-0 setback Tuesday afternoon at Bob "Turtle" Smith Field.
Delaware (5-7), which was looking to get back to the .500 mark after taking three out of four games in a weekend series with Fairfield, could not keep the win streak going as four Terrapin pitchers allowed just four hits and struck out 14 UD batters.
Maryland entered the game ranked in the national Top 25 by Collegiate Baseball (21st), Baseball America (25th), USA Today (received votes), and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (30).
The Blue Hens got hits from Joe Giacchino, Nick Ferdinand, Ryan Hartley, and Brock Niggebrugge and four other Delaware batters reached base on walks, but UD could not get a run through as it stranded eight runners on the day.
The loss spoiled an effective outing by Delaware starter Matt Soren (at right), who was the sore luck loser after allowing just one run on five hits and striking out four batters in 5.1 innings. Relievers Nick Stampone and Stephen Richter held Maryland scoreless and Eric Buckland allowed a run in the eighth frame. Soren took the loss and fell to 0-3.
Maryland (10-1), which won its ninth straight game, collected eight hits on the day and scored the only run it would need in the second inning when third baseman KJ Hockaday grounded out to Blue Hen second baseman DJ Long to bring home Michael Montville.
The Terrapins added another run in the eighth when Montville scored on a sacrifice fly by Alfredo Rodriguez.
Maryland starter Michael Boyden went five innings to pick up the win and improve to 2-0. He allowed just one hit and struck out nine of the 18 batters he faced. Jimmy Reed picked up his fourth save of the year by getting the last out of the eighth inning and pitching a perfect ninth inning.
Delaware put up its biggest threat in the eighth inning when Nick Ferdinand his a two-out single and advanced to second when Alex Maruri. Ferdinand moved up to third on a wild pitch but was stranded there when Tyler Powell struck out.
Delaware will return to action Wednesday when the Blue Hens host in-state rival Delaware State at 3 p.m. at Bob Hannah Stadium.
