Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. – Maryland starting pitcher Brett Harman tossed eight innings of shutout ball, and with the help of 14 hits from his offense, led the visiting Terrapins to a 10-0 victory over Virginia Tech on a rainy Friday afternoon in the ACC opener at English Field.
The junior right-hander allowed just seven hits in his time on the mound, while walking three and striking out five, to improve to 2-2 on the season. Jimmy Reed pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the shutout, helping Maryland to even its season record at 6-6.
The Hokies, who fell to 9-4 overall with the loss, were shut out for the first time since March 16, 2008, when they were held scoreless against third-ranked North Carolina. Starter Justin Wright (2-2) took the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks in four innings of work.
Six Terrapins recorded at least two hits each in the game, with left fielder Brandon Padula leading the way with a 3-for-4 effort that included two runs scored and two RBIs. The Hokies collected eight hits but never had more than two in one inning. First baseman Austin Wates and second baseman Michael Seaborn each went 2-for-4.
The Terrapins wasted no time manufacturing the game’s first run during their first at bat. Second baseman David Poutier singled on the first pitch of the contest, and promptly moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez. Poutier then stole third base before trotting home on a sacrifice fly to center field by Padula.
Maryland picked up four runs in top of the third to build a healthy 5-0 lead. Rodriguez led off by drawing a walk and racing to third on a base hit by center fielder Matt Marquis. Padula then tallied his second RBI of the game with a single to left that brought home Rodriguez. Padula would later score on a single by designated hitter Dan Gentzler, while third baseman Matthew Murakami and Gentzler would touch home on a double to right by catcher Jack Cleary.
The Terps tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh thanks to a pair of Hokie miscues. After reaching on a walk, first baseman Adam Kolarek later scored on a wild pitch by Tech reliever Joe Mantiply, while Gentzler, who reached on an infield single, scored on a fielding error by Tech third baseman Ronnie Shaban.
An RBI single by Murakami, as well as another run on another fielding error, extended Maryland’s advantage to 9-0 in the eighth. Poutier singled and scored in the ninth to set the final score.
Because of the rainy forecast, first pitch on Saturday between the two squads has been moved back to 4 p.m.