LaMonte Wade’s bases-loaded triple was the big blow in Maryland’s seven-run fifth inning that broke a tie and gave the visitors a 10-5 victory over JMU in a non-conference baseball game on Wednesday afternoon at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park.
JMU fell to 2-6 overall while UM won its fifth game in a row to improve to 5-3.
The teams were tied at 3-3 after exchanging one run apiece in the fourth before Maryland broke things open in the fifth, taking the lead on an RBI single up the middle by third baseman K.J. Hockaday. An error loaded the bases and Wade’s triple cleared them to run the UM lead to 7-3, still with no outs. After a second pitching change in the inning, designated hitter Matt Bosse doubled inside the third-base bag to plate Wade for an 8-3 score. A walk and a sacrifice bunt set up two runners in scoring position for left fielder Michael Montville’s double to left to make it 10-3.
The score held until the ninth when JMU made things interesting, scoring on an RBI triple by junior pinch hitter Tyler Gregory (Dothan, Ala./Houston Academy) and a fielding error. The Dukes proceeded to load the bases with a pair of walks, forcing Maryland to turn to closer Jake Stinnett. JMU’s No. 3 hitter, junior third baseman Ty McFarland (Bridgewater, Va./Turner Ashby), squared up sharply on Stinnett’s third offering, however the tall right hander made the stop on the grounder and retired McFarland to earn his first save of the season.
Right-handed reliever Bobby Ruse improved to 2-0 after working two perfect innings of relief, shutting down Madison’s bats after starter Jake Drossner allowed three runs on four hits in four innings. Sophomore Ben Garner (Burke, Va./Paul VI) took the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in four innings.
Shortstop Blake Schmit was 2-for-3 with a solo home run three runs and a walk for the Terps. Right fielder Jordan Hagel was 2-for-3 with a walk, run, RBI and two steals.
Sophomore left fielder Chad Carroll (Oakton, Va./Oakton) maintained his hot bat by going 2-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI. Senior second baseman Casey Goss (Springfield, Mo./Glenville) had a two-run single for the Dukes.
Maryland grabbed the early lead as leadoff batter Charlie White singled, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a double to left by Hagel to make it 1-0. The Terps added a run in the second with a leadoff solo shot off the left field foul pole by Schmit.
In the JMU second, redshirt junior first baseman Matt Tenaglia (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks East) drew a leadoff walk. He moved to third on a well-executed hit-and-run single by Carroll, who stole second to put two in scoring position with one out. Following a strikeout, Goss came through with the two-run single up the middle to tie the score at 2-2.
Maryland reclaimed the lead in the fourth as Schmit singled on a line drive to center. He came all the way around to score on catcher Jack Cleary’s double just over the outstretched glove of senior Cole McInturff (Centreville, Va./Westfield) in right center, making it 3-2 Terps.
Madison answered quickly as Tenaglia led off the fourth with a double to the gap in left center. He moved to third on a wild pitch and tied the game on Carroll’s RBI groundout.
JMU will be home over the weekend to host a four-game set against Hartford. Friday’s first pitch occurs at 4 p.m. followed by a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday and a 1 p.m. finale on Sunday.
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