North Carolina State University Athletics
Baseball Drops Two to Maryland
3/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
RALEIGH, N.C. Dan Benick drew a bases-loaded walk and Alfredo Rodriguez hit a two-run single to highlight a five-run eighth inning Sunday to lift Maryland to a 9-3 victory over NC State in the second game of a doubleheader at Doak Field at Dail Park. The Terrapins won the first game of the twin-bill 3-1 and used the doubleheader sweep to win the three-game ACC series two games to one.
Maryland evened its overall record at 8-8 and lifted its ACC mark to 2-4. The Wolfpack fell to 9-8 overall and 1-5 in the ACC.
The Terrapins led the second game of the doubleheader wire to wire, scoring twice in the top of the first without the benefit of a hit, and didn’t get their first hit of the game until Will Greenberg led off the top of the sixth with a bunt single up the third-base line. NC State starter Alex Sogard lasted just one-third of an inning, walked four and gave up a run on an RBI groundout. Pratt Maynard’s solo homer in the bottom of the first cut the lead to 2-1, and the game stayed that way until the top of the sixth.
Following Greenberg’s bunt single, Jensen Pupa drew a one-out walk, and both runners came around to score when right fielder Drew Poulk dropped Benick’s fly ball in the right-field corner for a two-base error.
NC State got those two runs backing the bottom on a two-out, two-run single to right field by Dallas Poulk, driving in Harold Riggins and Kyle Wilson.
Maryland put the game away with the big eighth inning. Greenberg led off and was safe when John Gianis dropped his fly ball to left for a two-base error. Mike Murphy bunted for a single, but was hurt after crossing the bag when he slipped on the wet grass behind the basepath. Matthew Murakami pinch-ran and Pupa walked to lead the bases. Benick drew a one-out walk to drive in Greenberg, and Rodriguez singled to center to drive in Murakami and Pupa. A.J. Casario singled to center to drive in Benick, and David Poutier capped the inning with a single up the middle to drive in Rodriguez.
Maryland starter Eric Potter (2-0) picked up the win. He allowed three runs on three hits in 5 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out nine. Ian Schwalenberg worked the final 3 1/3 innings to earn his first career save. He allowed three hits, walked one and struck out five.
The first game was a scoreless pitchers duel for five innings between NC State’s Jake Buchanan and Maryland’s Matt Fullerton. The Wolfpack drew first blood in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out double by Wilson and an RBI single by Riggins, but the Terps scored three in the top of the seventh. Benick led off with a double to right-center, went to third on Rodriguez’s single to right, and scored when the throw from right kicked past catcher Chris Schaeffer for an error. Rodriguez went to second on the play and scored on Casario’s single to center field. Poutier singled to right to send Casario to third and Greenberg grounded into a force play to score the third run of the inning.
Maryland closer Dan Gentzler got the win to improve to 2-1. He allowed two hits in 3 1/3 shutout innings. He struck out two and did not issue a walk. Buchanan fell to 1-2 with the tough-luck loss. He allowed three runs on 10 hits n 6 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out six.
NC State will return to action on Tuesday vs. North Carolina Central at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Game time is 6 p.m. The Pack’s next home game is Wednesday when Elon will come to Doak Field at Dail Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30. Both games will be broadcast live on WKNC-FM (88.1) and on-line on gopack.com through the Pack Pass package.
