#23 Virginia Records School-Record 12th ACC Win Following 5-3 Come-From-Behind Victory Over Maryland
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April 16, 2004
BOWIE, Md. – The University of Virginia baseball team recorded a 5-3 come-from-behind victory over the Maryland Terrpains in the first contest of a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series at Prince George’s Stadium. Trailing 3-1 heading into the top of the ninth inning, Virginia (30-7, 12-4 ACC) scored four unanswered runs with the game-tying and game-winning runs scoring on a dropped fly ball hit to center field. The Cavaliers’ 12th ACC victory is a new school-record for most conference wins ever at UVa in baseball. Virginia has also now won 10 consecutive games, including four come-from-behind victories that occurred late in the game.
After playing six and a half scoreless innings of baseball, Maryland (16-19, 2-11 ACC) scored the first run of the contest and took a 1-0 lead when Dan Melvin singled before scoring the first run of the game on a RBI-single through the left side by Matt Maropis in the bottom of the seventh inning. But Virginia answered right back and tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the eighth inning when Kyle Werman singled to reach base before he scored a run two batters later on a RBI-single to left field by Matt Street.
The Terrapins broke open a 1-1 tie game in the bottom of the eighth inning and made it a 3-1 game when Jason Maxey connected on a two-run double to left field to drive in Will Frazier and Brian Jarosinski. It appeared as if Maryland was going to come away with an upset win, but just as they have done all season long, the Cavaliers found a way to make things happened and took full advantage of their opponents mistakes.
Trailing 3-1 in the top of the ninth inning, UVa scored four runs to record the 5-3 victory. After Joe Koshansky led off the side with a walk and Matt Dunn reached first base on an infield single on a bunt, each baserunner advanced ahead one base after a sacrifice bunt by Tom Hagan to put runners on second and third base with one out. Following a strikeout by Scott Headd to give UVa two outs, pinch-hitter Paul Gillispie connected on an infield hit to shortstop to score Koshansky to make it a 3-2 ball game. One batter later, Miguel Luina stepped to the plate as a pinch hitter and got a hold of a ball that he drilled to center field. The Terrapins’ Jarosinski tracked the ball on the run to the warning track and was in position to seal the win for Maryland with a catch, but he dropped the ball, which allowed both Dunn and Gillispie to score a run. Dunn’s unearned run tied the game, while Gillisipie’s unearned run proved to be the game-winner. Luina scored a run himself one batter later on a RBI-single by Street to lift the Cavaliers to a two-run win at 5-3.
In a game that started out as a pitcher’s duel, UVa starting pitcher Andrew Dobies went 7.0 innings and allowed just one run on eight hits and tied his career-high with a game-high 10 strikeouts in a no-decision. Maryland starting pitcher Chris Clem went 7.2 innings and allowed only one run on five hits and struck out five batters, also in a no-decision.
Virginia’s Casey Lambert (3-1) picking up the win after going 2.0 innings. He allowed two runs on four hits and struck out one batter. Maryland’s Chris Bowen (4-2) was dealt the loss after going just 0.1 of an inning and surrendered two unearned runs on two hits.
With the victory, Virginia’s record improves to 30-7 overall, 12-4 in the ACC. The loss drops Maryland’s record to 16-19 overall, 2-11 in the conference. UVa now leads the three-game series, one game to none.
The Cavaliers and Terrapins will return to action on Saturday, April 17th to play the second contest of the three-game ACC series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM at Prince George’s Stadium.
— UVa —