Maryland baseball blows ninth-inning lead to Michigan in 8-7 defeat

Maryland baseball hadn’t led against Michigan in the entire weekend series following an extra-inning walk off loss and a run-rule defeat. In one fell swoop, second baseman David Mendez changed that, crushing a two-run blast clear over the right-field fence to give the Terps their first lead all weekend. But after managing to hold onto the lead for an inning and a half, the Terps let it slip right from their hands.

Late freebies from Maryland’s pitching staff allowed Michigan to regain the lead in the top of the ninth inning. The Wolverines went on to win the game, 8-7, and sweep the series. Mendez banked the first base hit of the day in the bottom of the second, bouncing a double off the center field wall.

However, he became the first of nine Terps left on base after consecutive strikeouts shut down the frame scoreless. In the third inning, Wolverine Colby Turner crushed his third home run of the weekend for the first run of the day, knocking a two-run blast that beat Maryland center fielder Jordan Crosland to the wall. Following a full count walk, an RBI triple from Brayden Jefferis brought another runner home.

Mendez took a fielder’s choice opportunity to throw home from second base, but catcher Devin Russell couldn’t catch and tag in time, allowing another run to score. Outfielder Nate Hawton-Henley put Maryland on the board in the bottom of the fourth. The freshman smashed a single to right field for his first RBI of the weekend.