March 18, 2008
Norfolk, Va. - The University of Maryland got all of the runs it would need in one inning Tuesday night as the visiting Terps defeated Old Dominion 5-2 at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex, sending the Monarchs to their fourth consecutive loss.
The Terps (9-9) broke things open in the top of the fourth with four runs on three hits and a Monarch error. Second baseman Dan Benick singled to lead off the inning and a dropped fly ball by Monarch right fielder Anthony Shawler gave Maryland runners on second and third. Terps catcher Chad Durakis who came in as the team's leading hitter, cleared the bases with a two-run double down the left field line. Three batters later Gerry Spessard added a two-run single of his own to cap the four-run inning.
ODU (10-8) got on the board in the bottom half of the fourth on a solo shot to left by shortstop Chris Buss, his second of the season.
Ahead 4-1 heading into the fifth, the Terps pushed their lead back to four when Mike Murphy homered to straight away center off of ODU's Robbie Watkins.
The Monarchs cut into the Maryland lead once again in the seventh thanks to an RBI double by Shawler that scored Chris Keenan from first base. It was Shawler's 19th RBI of the season and brought the Monarchs within three runs at 5-2, but that would prove to be the final margin.
ODU managed 11 hits to Maryland's nine, but the Monarchs left 11 runners on base, including two in their final at bat with the game-tying run at the plate.
Brett Tidball (2-0) allowed just one run in five and a third innings to record the victory for Maryland, while Matt Quinn closed out the contest for his second save of the season. Making his first start of the year ODU sophomore Cory Toth picked up the loss as he surrendered four runs (2 earned) in three innings of work.
Buss finished the night 3-for-4 at the plate for the Monarchs, while teammate Jake McAloose went 2-for-3.