Maryland baseball prevents sweep with 16-5 victory in 8 innings over Iowa

In the span of nine pitches, Maryland recorded three singles in a row to load the bases by Ty Kaunas, Jones II, and Ryan Costello for his first start in over a week. Costello scored on a wild pitch, advancing the runners.

Two more singles by the Terps brought in another two runs, giving them a 8-4 lead.

A sacrifice bunt by Hawton-Henley advanced runners into scoring position. After the Hawkeye’s fifth walk, right-hander Joe Husak attempted to pick off Devin Russell at second base. Husak’s throw bounced off Russell’s helmet into the outfield, bringing home Mendez.

Two pitchers and three runs later, Iowa finally ended the inning with Maryland holding a 12-4 lead over the Hawkeyes.

“A really good response on a day that was not ideal to hit with the wind and the conditions,” Swope said. “It’s really impressive for the offense to bounce back.”

Iowa brought in its final run in the bottom of the seventh after hitting back-to-back singles off sophomore Lance Williams, who had entered the game for Ryan. Mendez’s double play eased some pressure before Williams threw his second strikeout of the game.

Maryland quickly loaded the bases in the top of the eighth and scored two runs after sacrifice flies from Crosland and Martin. Costello drove another in by launching a double down the third-base line beyond the left fielder’s outstretched glove.

Kaunas brought home another after launching a triple to center field. Miles Risley went for the diving catch and missed the ball, allowing it to roll towards the warning track. Kaunas attempted to come home for an inside-the-park home run but was tagged out on his way to the plate, ending the inning with Maryland up 11 runs.

The Terps kept the Hawkeyes scoreless in the bottom of the eighth after Williams notched his third strikeout of the game, followed by a fly out to Crosland and grounder to Mendez, ending the game early.

“It’s good to bounce back. It’s nice to win, but we’d still like to be better,” Swope said. “We’re not going to settle for anything. There’s a lot of time left in the season.”

Three things to know

1. Williams the reliever. Williams has recorded more victories as a reliever (2) than as a starter (1). As a reliever, the sophomore has notched eight strikeouts in 8.3 innings.

2. Mendez opens the gate. Mendez opened the scoring during game one with a two-run RBI single. On Sunday, he put himself in position to open the scoring with a triple to the top of the right field corner and was brought home by Hawton-Henley. The junior notched a total of six hits and five RBIs during the weekend series.

3. Defensive control. Maryland’s defense was dominant on Sunday, only allowing one error. Shortstop Kaunas recorded five assists while Mendez notched two, including a put-out during his double play.