Maryland Edges Duke, 5-3, In ACC Baseball

Saturday, March 4

Durham, N.C.

1:00 PM

Duke University

Maryland

Maryland Edges Duke, 5-3, In ACC Baseball

3/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. ? Center fielder Nick Jowers laced an RBI-double down the left field line to break a 3-3 tie in the seventh as the Maryland Terrapins defeated the Duke Blue Devils, 5-3, on Saturday afternoon at Jack Coombs Field. The Blue Devils fall to 5-9 overall and 1-1 in the ACC while the Terrapins improve to 5-7 overall and 1-1 in league play.

With the score knotted at 3-3 entering the seventh, third baseman Mike Murphy singled through the left side to start the inning. Murphy advanced to second on a bunt single by left fielder Wink Nolan and then advanced to third on a throwing error. Jowers then doubled down the left field line to score Murphy. After shortstop Steve Braun grounded out to short and first baseman Gerry Spessard was intentionally walked, second baseman Dan Melvin drove in Nolan on a fielder's choice to give the Terrapins the 5-3 lead.

Maryland took a 3-0 lead in the second inning on a three-run homer by Braun. Murphy hit a one-out single to right field before stealing second base. Nolan followed with a single through the left side to move Murphy to third. After Nolan stole second and Jowers struck out swinging, Braun blasted his three-run shot over the left field wall for his first home run of the season.

Duke scored three runs in the fifth to tie the game. The Blue Devils got three consecutive singles from catcher Matt Williams, left fielder Javier Socorro and second baseman Adam Murray to start the inning. Center fielder Jonathan Anderson then roped a three-run double down the left field line to tie the game at 3-3.

Maryland starter Ben Pfinsgraff (1-2) picked up his first victory of the season, holding the Blue Devils to three runs on seven hits in 7.1 innings pitched. Left-hander Brett Cecil worked the final 1.2 scoreless innings to earn his third save of the year. Duke reliever Tony Bajoczky (0-4) suffered his fourth loss of the season, allowing two runs on three hits in 2.0 innings of work. Duke starter Jimmy Saris struck out a career-high six batters in 6.0 innings pitched.

Anderson led the Blue Devils at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBI on the afternoon. Socorro went 2-for-4 with a run scored, Murray was 1-for-3 with a run scored and Williams went 1-for-4 with a run scored.

Braun went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored for Maryland while Murphy and Nolan both went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Duke and Maryland will wrap up their three-game series tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Jack Coombs Field.

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