March 19, 2010
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Brett Harman scattered just two runs on seven hits over eight innings and Dan Gentzler hit a pair of home runs to lift Maryland (8-9, 2-2 ACC) to a 5-2 win over the third-ranked Georgia Tech baseball team (14-2, 3-1 ACC) Friday night at Shipley Field in College Park, Md.
The loss was just the second of the season for Georgia Tech, as its win streak was snapped at seven games. The Jackets had a tough time at the plate Friday, scoring a season-low two runs while tying a season-low in hits with seven.
Junior Derek Dietrich and sophomore Matt Skole combined for four of Tech’s seven hits, while Dietrich hit his second home run of the season Friday.
Maryland jumped out to 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a three-run homer to left center with two-outs by first baseman Dan Gentzler off junior Deck McGuire. It was just the first home run allowed this season by McGuire, and the first of the season for Gentzler.
McGuire (3-1) lost for just the first time since season, and fourth time in his career after allowing five runs -two earned–on seven hits in 8.0 innings pitched. The five runs allowed were a season high for the Richmond, Va. native.
McGuire pitched well despite the loss, striking out six while allowing just two extra base hits.
The Terrapins extended the lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI single to short stop by right fielder Jon Wilson. After Gentzler was walked with one out, he moved over to second and in scoring position on a sac bunt by Matthew Murakami.
Dietrich put the Jackets on the board in the fifth, with his solo shot to right field off of Harman that cut the lead to 4-1.
Maryland responded in the bottom of the eighth, as Gentzler hit his second home run of the game on a solo shot to center with two-outs that put Tech behind 5-1.
The Jackets attempted a rally in the ninth. Junior Chase Burnette sent a triple to the wall in right field that scored Skole from second to make it 5-2. Skole led-off the inning with a single before advancing to second on a throwing error by Maryland’s left fielder.
Burnette’s RBI with not outs would lift Harman for Gentzler, who moved from first base to the mound for the close.
Harman (3-2) struck out eight Tech batters on the night, while picking up his third win of the season.
Gentzler then went on to force a groundout from Jacob Esch, strikeout Thomas Nichols and get another groundout from pinch-hitter Jake Davies for his fourth save of the season.
The series continues Saturday at 1 p.m., as junior Brandon Cumpton takes the mound for Tech at Shipley Field.
