Maryland takes advantage of Delaware errors in 11-6 win

Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics.

Sophomore infielder Tommy Gardiner took a step up to the plate with the Terps a point behind the Blue Hens.

He singled the ball to left field and was able to get to second base thanks to an error by Delaware’s left fielder. Maryland’s designated hitter Sebastian Holte-Mancera was also able to advance as a result of the Delaware error, giving the Terrapins a two-point lead in the 5th inning. After this thrilling play, they were able to regain their confidence and finish the game with a resounding 11-6 win.

The game started off very fast with a quick lead by Delaware. Redshirt sophomore infielder Jordan Hutchins scored through a single hitter by sophomore catcher Zack Miller. Delaware’s momentum, however, did not last long. Later on, in the first inning, the Terrapins were able to create three back-to-back runs. Junior outfielder Caleb Walls, sophomore outfielder Randy Bednar, and freshman infielder/outfielder Maxwell Costes were able to reach home plate for a  Terrapins a 3-1 lead. The fast-paced game soon came to a lull during the second and third innings.

The Terrapins’ defense maintained this posture and kept Delaware run-less while the Terrapins’ offense tucked another run away. But this soon ended by the fifth inning. It became apparent that Maryland’s starting pitcher, sophomore Drew Wilden, was getting tired. Delaware’s batters took advantage of this and by the start of the bottom of the fifth, Delaware was leading 6-4.

Maryland’s head coach Rob Vaughn pulled out Wilden for right-handed pitcher sophomore Mark DiLuia, who had two strikeouts and only allowed one hit within three innings.

Down by two, Maryland did not give up. Led by a single by Gardiner, the Terrapins were able to solidify two more runs at the end of the fifth inning. While Delaware’s offense was unable to create any action, the Terrapins were on a hot streak with a double by freshman infielder Benjamin Cowles. The last run during the game was by Big Ten Freshman of The Week, Maxwell Costes, whose eighth-inning run was scored by a clutch hit to left field. Thanks to five costly errors, the Terrapins were able to win the game in their highest-scoring match so far.

The Terrapins (7-4) will head to the Melching Field at Conrad Park in DeLand, Florida for their next game against the Stetson University Hatters (4-6) on Friday. The game will begin at 6:30 p.m. You can watch it air live on the ESPN+ network or listen live on the Maryland Baseball Network.