April 1, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Ben Pfinsgraff scattered eight hits over six innings and Maryland erupted for four runs in the second inning as the Terrapins (12-17, 5-9) upset third-ranked Georgia Tech (22-5, 6-5 ACC), 6-3, on Saturday night at Shipley Field.
Pfinsgraff (2-3) held the Yellow Jackets to three runs on eight hits in six innings of work. He issued one walk and struck out seven batters. Brett Cecil worked three scoreless innings and struck out three to close out the game and pick up his team-leading sixth save of the season.
The Yellow Jackets went just 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position, including going hitless in their final seven opportunities. The Jackets outhit the Terrapins, 9-8, but left 10 runners on base and struck out 11 times in the game.
The Yellow Jackets took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Jeff Kindel doubled and scored on a RBI single from Mike Trapani. Tech had an opportunity to do more damage, but Pfinsgraff retired Danny Payne on a popup with the bases loaded to end the inning.
Maryland answered with four runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 4-1 lead. Dan Melvin led off the inning with a single and scored on a RBI double from Mike Murphy. After Chad Durakis singled, Jordan Wilson scored Murphy with a RBI single. Durakis scored on a passed ball, and Matt Maropis added a RBI single to score the fourth run of the inning.
Tech pulled to within 4-2 in the fourth inning when Wally Crancer led off with a single, took third on a double from Andy Hawranick and scored on a RBI groundout from Michael Fisher.
A solo home run from Tech’s Wes Hodges, his fifth of the year, made the score 4-3 in the fifth inning. The Jackets put two more runners on base in the inning but failed to score.
The Terrapins added two insurance runs in the eighth inning to extend the lead to 6-3. Steve Braun led off the inning with a double and took third base on Dan Melvin’s one-out single. After a walk to Mike Murphy loaded the bases, Chad Durakis drove in a run with a RBI groundout and beat the throw at first base to prevent a potential inning ending double play. Jordan Wilson added a two-out RBI single to score the second run of the inning.
Tech starter David Duncan (2-1) lasted just two-plus innings and allowed four runs on five hits. Reliever Jared Hyatt, who retired the first 10 batters he faced, worked 5.1 innings and allowed two runs on two hits while striking out seven batters.
Georgia Tech and Maryland conclude the three-game series on Sunday at 12 noon.
