Maryland Baseball: Terps complete sweep in Irish Classic

The Maryland baseball team had a horrific series last weekend when they were swept by LSU.

After Wednesday’s game against James Madison was postponed, the Terrapins beat the likes of Notre Dame (4-3), No. 6 NC State (9-2), and Dayton (11-2) in the USA Baseball-Irish Classic, which took place in Cary, NC.

The action got started on Friday against the Fighting Irish.

The Terps got the scoring started in the top of the first inning. Center fielder Zach Jancarski singled to lead off the game and was ultimately doubled home by catcher Nick Cieri.

Starting pitcher Brian Shaffer cruised through the first six innings and only surrendered three hits. However, the seventh inning was where Notre Dame took control of the game.

The Irish tacked on three runs and were aided by a fielding error. Only one of the runs were earned.

Maryland found themselves trailing 3-2 as the ninth inning began.

After Lee flew out, Jancarski was able to reach base on a dropped pop up by first baseman Daniel Jung. Nick Dunn followed it up with a walk and both advanced on a pair of wild pitches.

After Marty Costes was intentionally walked, designated hitter Brandon Gum singled home Jancarski to tie the game. Pinch hitter Dan Maynard hit a sacrifice fly, which plated Dunn to give Maryland the eventual 4-3 win.

The next two games of the series were never really in doubt. Maryland outscored Dayton and NC State 20-4 over the final two games.

The Terps came out of the gate very aggressive as Jancarski singled to start off the game. He ended up stealing second base and Dunn and Costes followed it up with a pair of walks.

Walks seemed to be the theme of the inning as Gum worked a bases loaded free pass to give the Terps a 1-0 lead. Cieri was able to reach base on a fielder’s choice, which scored Dunn to make it 2-0.

Maryland went on to score at least one run in every inning except for the second and sixth. Costes stroked a solo home run in the third to make it a 3-0 ballgame.

In the fourth inning, left fielder Madison Nickens ripped a two-run home run down the right field line to plate Cieri and himself. Cieri had led off the inning with a walk.

Junior right-handed starter Taylor Bloom tossed seven innings of two-run ball. Bloom also only surrendered five hits in the 9-2 Maryland victory.

Sunday’s game began in a similar fashion to that of Saturday.

Back-to-back singles by Jancarski and Dunn got the inning started. Nickens and Kevin Biondic added another pair of singles, which plated Jancarski and Dunn.

Shortstop Kevin Smith plated Nickens on yet another RBI single.

Dayton did add runs in the second and fifth innings, but trailed throughout the entire afternoon. Starter Tyler Blohm pitched 5.0 innings and gave up just one earned run on three hits.

Next: Big Ten Tournament bracket is set

Maryland returns to the diamond on Tuesday afternoon when they host William & Mary.