COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Maryland came up empty in key situations and fell to UMBC (9-13, 2-4 AEC), 5-2, on Tuesday afternoon at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium.
The Terps (13-14, 3-6 Big Ten) left 10 runners on base and went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Despite putting pressure on UMBC’s pitching staff throughout the game, Maryland failed to deliver the timely hits needed to stay in front.
Maryland pitcher Brayden Ryan worked around traffic in the first inning after hitting two batters and making a throwing error. He stranded the bases loaded to keep the game scoreless early.
The Terps loaded the bases in the bottom half with two walks and a hit-by-pitch, but failed to capitalize.
The Retrievers scored the first run of the game in the third inning.
Outfielder Jesiah Carpenter singled, stole second, and came home on a sharp single up the middle from designated hitter Leewood Molessa.
Maryland briefly took the lead in the fourth via its own outfielder production.
Outfielder Jacob Orr doubled to center and senior Elijah Lambros crushed a 450-foot two-run homer to left. Lambros’ third home run of the season gave Maryland a 2-1 advantage.
The Retrievers tied it in the sixth on a two out RBI single by infielder Kyle Eddington, then pulled ahead for good in the eighth. Derek Paris hammered a two-run home run inside the left foul pole putting UMBC in front, 4-2.
The Terps didn’t manage a hit after the fifth inning and struck out 11 times. UMBC added another run in the ninth and held Maryland scoreless over the final five frames.
“You’re going to have days like this today in baseball.” said Maryland head coach Matt Swope. “That’s, if you look throughout the year, it’s probably going to happen. Here, though, it just can’t happen.”
Ryan allowed one run over three innings. Relievers Jack Wren and Andrew Johnson followed with scoreless appearances before UMBC broke through against the back end of the bullpen.
Lambros led the offense with two RBIs. Orr reached base twice and Brayden Martin walked twice.
Maryland will return to Big Ten play this weekend. The Terps play a three game road series against Illinois on Friday.
