By Megan Smedley
Mike Shawaryn threw a season-high 128 pitches Friday night and lead the Terps to a critical 10-1 victory over the Iowa Cornhuskers. The right-hander fanned nine through eight innings while only allowing one run on six hits.
“I felt good,” Shawaryn said. “I felt strong. In that situation, I don’t want to come out of the game. I kind of just want to finish. Finish it strong. And build off it for next week.”
Shawaryn is one win away from the school record for most wins. After throwing 128 pitches, Shawaryn is going to take it day by day.
“It’ll depend on day by day, you know how I’m going to feel tomorrow.” Shawayrn said. “You just got to do what you got to do to make yourself feel better.”
Despite the threat of incoming thunderstorms, the Terps were able to open up a weekend series against the Iowa Cornhuskers. With Shawaryn and Tyler Peyton for Iowa on the mound, the game was shaping up to be a pitchers battle. Kengo Kawahara put the Terps out to an early lead in the bottom of the second inning. With runners on first and second, Kawahara stepped in to a 3-2 count and ripped a double to center field scoring Jamal Wade and Justin Morris. Kawahara says the key to his success is not getting caught up by breaking balls.
“I try to sit on a fastball early.” Kawahara said. “Once I got to 3-2, I was kind of sitting back on it, not letting the fastball beat me. He luckily hung one and I got it.”
Kawahara is currently playing with a broken thumb that he will need surgery for in the offseason.
Throughout the first five innings of the game, Iowa was able to get the leadoff runner on four times. Brandon Lowe and Kevin Smith provided smart and strong defense to get the Terps out of those innings. The Terps expanded their lead in the sixth inning after the Iowa bullpen fell apart. Jamal Wade sliced a double down the left field line scoring Jose Cuas. The Iowa bullpen then took over walking in two runs on five walks.
“That’s just not being selfish,” Kawahara said on Maryland players taking walks.
Iowa threatened to score in the eighth after a throwing error by Shawaryn. He recovered and was able to force a fielder’s choice and pick up another strikeout. The Terps sealed the victory in the eighth with a double from Wade and a single from Kawahara. Jose Cuas belted a three-run homerun to deep left putting Maryland up 10-1, his sixth of the year. Ryan Selmer came in in the ninth to finish off the game. With this win, Maryland improves to 24-8 (8-2 Big 10). Maryland and Iowa face off tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Shipley Field.
