By Ethan Cadeaux (@Ethan_301)
As the Terps’ fight to make the NCAA Tournament continued, Maryland dropped a crucial midweek game Tuesday night to West Virginia University 4-1, slimming their chances to play postseason ball.
Terrapins’ head coach John Szefc inserted several lineup changes prior to Tuesday’s contest, hoping the offense would break out from its recent woes.
Right fielder Anthony Papio was placed in the leadoff spot, and center fielder Zach Jancarski, who just got placed in the starting lineup as of late, was put in the two-hole. Designated hitter Madison Nickens, who had been hitting in the leadoff spot for the past few weeks, fell to the six-hole.
None of these lineup changes seemed to make a difference. The Terps’ were able to just muster one run on seven hits, as they dropped their third game in their last four.
Mountaineers starting pitcher Michael Grove lasted six and two thirds innings, allowing one run, unearned, on just six hits, The bullpen would shut the Terps down once Grove exited, as they only had one hit over the final two and a third innings.
The Terps scored first in the top of the fourth inning, when first baseman Kevin Biondic singled in Nickens to give Maryland a 1-0 lead.
But West Virginia would not wait much time to respond, as they scored two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. Third baseman Ivan Vera drove in right fielder Darius Hill on a sacrifice fly to tie the game at one. The next batter, first baseman Jackson Cramer, hit a solo homerun to give the Mountaineers the lead.
The Terps offense would have very many scoring chances after the fourth. Maryland finished 2-16 with runners on base, and hit just 1-6 with runners in scoring position.
The Mountaineers would add two runs in the late innings – one in the seventh and one in the eight – to add some insurance to their lead.
Terrapin starter Hunter Parsons turned in a quality start, although it ended in a tough loss. The freshman threw six solid innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits.
The Terps are back in action on Friday, as they host Rutgers for their final home Big Ten conference series of the season. This weekend is crucial for the Terps, as they continue to fight for a coveted playoff spot.
