Maryland Edges Tribe, 8-7

03/19/08 9:20PM

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - Maryland scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to rally back and defeat William and Mary, 8-7, at Plumeri Park on Wednesday evening. The loss snapped W&M’s five-game winning streak and was just the second loss at home in 15 games this season.

Sophomore Chris Jensen went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run, while junior Ben Guez drove in a pair of runs and scored twice. Having hit safely in all 20 games entering the contest, junior Mike Sheridan went hitless for the first time this season.

RHP Matt Quinn (2-1) earned the win in relief for Maryland (10-9, 1-5 ACC), while junior RHP Jeremy Neustifter (0-2) took the loss.

Maryland got on the scoreboard first with three runs in the top of the second. Will Greenberg drew a walk to lead off the frame, and A.J. Casario followed with a two-run home run to right. After singling up the middle, Nick Jowers stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Tim Park on the play. He later scored when Bill Rice singled to center.

W&M (16-5, 7-2 CAA) answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to even the score. Junior Rob Nickle got things started with a one-out single up the middle, and classmate Jeff Jones drew a walk after senior Greg Maliniak grounded out to first. Jensen then sent a 1-1 offering over the right field fence to tie the score at 3-3.

UM retook the lead in the third, 4-3, when Mike Murphy led off the inning with a solo home run to left center.

The Terrapins added a run in the sixth to take a 5-3 advantage. Joe Palumbo singled to left center with two outs, and he later scored when Steve Braun popped up in front of the plate but starting pitcher Cody Winslow was unable to make the catch.

The Green and Gold responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning to knot the score at 5-5. LHP Eric Potter came out of the bullpen to start the sixth and walked Guez After surrendering a one-out single to Park, RHP Brad Taylor entered the game in relief. Both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch, and Nickle plated Guez with a sacrifice fly to center. Jones drove in the second run with a shallow single to right.

With senior LHP Sean Grieve on the hill in relief, Maryland reclaimed the lead, 6-5, in the seventh. With one out, Murphy and Greenberg drew consecutive walks, and Jowers plated a run with a two-out single to center.

The Tribe answered once again and retook the lead, 7-6, in the bottom half of the inning when Guez recorded a two-run home run. After junior James Williamson registered an infield single, Stampone reached on a fielder’s choice. Guez then sent a two-run blast over the left center field fence off a 2-2 pitch.

UM battled back with two runs in the ninth to go ahead, 8-7. Murphy tied the game when he led off the frame with a solo home run to left. After the Terrapins loaded the bases with one out, Braun plated the go-ahead run when he grounded out to second.

The Tribe will return to conference action when it plays a three-game series at UNC Wilmington this weekend.

Box Score