By Megan Smedley
Maryland Baseball got things started bright and early Sunday morning for a doubleheader after rain postponed Saturday’s matchup.
Freshman Tyler Blohm took the mound first as the Terps looked to secure the series win. After getting a quick first two outs, Blohm hit a batter and walked the next. Both runners advanced to scoring position on a wild pitch, but Blohm was able to escape the inning run less by striking out the Spartan’s centerfielder Brandon Hughes.
Like Friday night, the Terps were able to get on the board early in the bottom of the first, and get in the head of Spartan starter Andrew Gonzalez. Nick Dunn sliced a double to right after Dan Chmielewski was unable to come up with the diving catch. Brandon Gum crossed the plate, putting the Terps up 1-0. A lead Maryland would keep for the rest of the game.
Blohm continued to keep the Spartans off the board but not without raking up his pitch count. Spartan hitters worked the counts, upping Blohm’s pitch count to over 50 heading into the fourth inning.
Gonzalez also settled down after the first inning, only allowing three base runners over the next three innings.
It wasn’t until the fifth inning when Maryland threatened again. After AJ Lee and Zach Jancarski led off with a pair of singles, Will Watson laid down the perfect bunt down the third baseline for the safety squeeze. Lee scored easily, but Spartan catcher Matt Byars threw the ball into right field when trying to get Watson out at first. Watson advanced to second on the error. The Spartans were able to turn a double play on a Dunn shot to short to end the inning. After five, Maryland led 2-0.
In the top of the sixth, Michigan State was able to get the first two runners on after a strikeout became a base on a passed ball and Hughes singled to left. Blohm’s day would be done after this, still being responsible for the two runners on. He went five innings, allowing five hits while striking out three. Junior righthander Ryan Hill took his place and hoping to limit the damage. And limit the damage he did. Hill was able to get a quick three outs, including two strikeouts looking to get out of the inning without allowing a run.
Michigan State got on the board in the seventh with a sacrifice fly from second baseman Dan Durkin. Bryce Kelley crossed the plate, cutting Maryland’s lead to one. Hill was able to get Byars to pop out to the catcher to end the inning, ending the Spartan’s shot at tying the game.
Ryan Selmer came in to close things out in the ninth inning. After walking the first batter, Selmer was able to get Kelley to ground out into a game-ending 6-4-3 double play. Blohm would get his seventh win of the year while Selmer picked up his fifth save.
