2008 Woodie Awards
Baseball takes three of four from Hofstra
Aaron Kraut
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: Sports
After three wins in two freezing-cold days, the Terrapin baseball team was in position yesterday for a much-needed four-game sweep over Hofstra that would have boosted its confidence less than a week before its ACC opener at Florida State.
But a 6-5 series-finale loss marred what was otherwise a solid weekend for the Terps, especially at the plate.
"I'm very disappointed, because we should've won that game," said coach Terry Rupp. "If we get a couple bunts down and make some defensive plays that we should make, no question we win that game."
After a Joe Palumbo throwing error led to a Hofstra run in the fifth that cut the Terps' lead to 3-2, starting pitcher Jensen Pupa gave up back-to-back singles to start the sixth.
With two outs the Terps went to freshman reliever Adam Kolarek, who walked a man to load the bases before giving up a two-run single to Dave Cole.
Down 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth the Terps had the top of their order up, but after getting the first two hitters on base and failing to move them over, they couldn't complete the comeback.
The Terps slugged their way to three wins against an inexperienced Pride pitching staff, and took advantage of six Hofstra errors to outscore the Pride 43-15 in the first three games.
The Terps used three Hofstra errors for a 10-run sixth inning and a 13-3 win in Saturday's second game, when winds blustered around 20 mph and the temperature reached into the 40s.
Coming into the series, Rupp switched junior third baseman Mike Murphy to second and inserted Palumbo at third to curb the defensive miscues that plagued the Terps in games against Coastal Carolina and Towson.
During Friday's 16-5 win the move paid off, but two errors and a passed ball in the third and fourth innings of Saturday's first game gave Hofstra a 5-2 lead.
Back-to-back-to-back homers in the eighth by Chad Durakis, Gerry Spessard and Murphy capped off an eight-run inning that gave the Terps a seven-run lead and eventual 14-7 win.
"I felt good today," said Durakis, who went seven for nine at the plate in the doubleheader. "The whole team's been working really hard lately, we got those bats going, and it feels great to finally put some runs on the board."
Senior shortstop Steve Braun had a grand slam in Friday night's win in support of No. 1 pitcher Scott Swinson's first win as a Terp. Braun had a hit in each of the four games to extend his season-long hit streak to eight games.
"It was nice; we really needed it so everybody could come out here and feel confident," said Braun of Friday night's blowout.
After they let yesterday's game slip away though, the Terps will have to wait until Wednesday's matchup against Coppin State to keep their confidence growing.
akrautdbk@gmail.com
But a 6-5 series-finale loss marred what was otherwise a solid weekend for the Terps, especially at the plate.
"I'm very disappointed, because we should've won that game," said coach Terry Rupp. "If we get a couple bunts down and make some defensive plays that we should make, no question we win that game."
After a Joe Palumbo throwing error led to a Hofstra run in the fifth that cut the Terps' lead to 3-2, starting pitcher Jensen Pupa gave up back-to-back singles to start the sixth.
With two outs the Terps went to freshman reliever Adam Kolarek, who walked a man to load the bases before giving up a two-run single to Dave Cole.
Down 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth the Terps had the top of their order up, but after getting the first two hitters on base and failing to move them over, they couldn't complete the comeback.
The Terps slugged their way to three wins against an inexperienced Pride pitching staff, and took advantage of six Hofstra errors to outscore the Pride 43-15 in the first three games.
The Terps used three Hofstra errors for a 10-run sixth inning and a 13-3 win in Saturday's second game, when winds blustered around 20 mph and the temperature reached into the 40s.
Coming into the series, Rupp switched junior third baseman Mike Murphy to second and inserted Palumbo at third to curb the defensive miscues that plagued the Terps in games against Coastal Carolina and Towson.
During Friday's 16-5 win the move paid off, but two errors and a passed ball in the third and fourth innings of Saturday's first game gave Hofstra a 5-2 lead.
Back-to-back-to-back homers in the eighth by Chad Durakis, Gerry Spessard and Murphy capped off an eight-run inning that gave the Terps a seven-run lead and eventual 14-7 win.
"I felt good today," said Durakis, who went seven for nine at the plate in the doubleheader. "The whole team's been working really hard lately, we got those bats going, and it feels great to finally put some runs on the board."
Senior shortstop Steve Braun had a grand slam in Friday night's win in support of No. 1 pitcher Scott Swinson's first win as a Terp. Braun had a hit in each of the four games to extend his season-long hit streak to eight games.
"It was nice; we really needed it so everybody could come out here and feel confident," said Braun of Friday night's blowout.
After they let yesterday's game slip away though, the Terps will have to wait until Wednesday's matchup against Coppin State to keep their confidence growing.
akrautdbk@gmail.com
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