Diamondback Online - The University of Maryland's Independent Daily Student Newspaper

It's been a rough two-week stretch for the Terrapin baseball team, so a visit yesterday from University of Maryland-Eastern Shore was just what the doctored ordered.

Behind a career performance from freshman pitcher Eric Potter, the Terps cruised to a 6-0 victory against UMES, ending a five-game losing streak.

Potter struck out 12 batters in six innings of scoreless work. The Terps (27-24, 8-19 ACC) scored three runs in the first inning and never looked back, sending the Hawks (5-45, 4-12 MEAC) to their 22nd straight loss.

"Lately we've been having trouble with walking people, so I just concentrated on throwing strikes," Potter said. "It was a warm day out, so I felt good. Last weekend was really cold up at Boston College, but my stuff felt good today, and I just used it."

Potter's 12 strikeouts were the most by a Terp pitcher since Chris Clem struck out 15 batters against Buffalo in 2004.

"He had an excellent breaking ball and he was throwing it for strikes," coach Terry Rupp said. "The first inning was a little shaky, but then he settled in and he was around the zone. He threw a great game tonight."

The Terps offense wasn't as effective as it was in the two teams' first meeting, when the Terps routed UMES 14-1 on April 16. But they were never challenged by a Hawks lineup that came into the game hitting only .226 as a team.

Sophomore right fielder A.J. Casario hit his seventh home run of the season on the first pitch of the sixth inning. Senior catcher Chad Durakis had a two-RBI double in the first inning to provide the offensive highlights.

Another encouraging sign for the Terps was the performance of freshman pitcher Blair Delean. Delean only had three innings under his belt all season coming into the game, but he entered in the seventh inning and pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

But Potter was the night's star. His efforts helped put the game out of reach for UMES early. The freshman hopes this performance can serve as a springboard for him into next season.

"Hopefully this will let me figure out my role for next year," Potter said. "It should give me a starting point."

After losing five games in a row and six out of seven games coming into last night, the win might give the Terps a new starting point, too.

n TERP NOTES: Senior second baseman Steve Braun did not start for the fourth straight game last night because of a rotator cuff injury. Rupp said Braun will undergo an MRI this afternoon that will reveal how long he will be out ... The Terps will play Towson at Shipley Field tonight and try to avoid a season sweep to the Tigers. Rupp made a surprising move by announcing he will start sophomore staff ace Scott Swinson - who usually starts Friday night ACC games - in tonight's game.

akrautdbk@gmail.com

Article Tools