Bobby Zmarzlak’s walk-off blast powers Maryland to 8-6 series-opening victory over Ohio State

Trailing 6-5 within the backside of the ninth, Maryland baseball regarded hopeless after failing to attain for 4 straight innings.

Senior first baseman Maxwell Costes walked and junior proper fielder Troy Schreffler singled to start out the ninth, giving the Terps hope. Then, junior left fielder Bobby Zmarzlak got here in clutch, clearing the bases with a walk-off house run over the left-center discipline wall.

“That was the most effective feeling ever, so hype, so grateful,” Zmarzlak mentioned.

Zmarzlak’s three-run homer gave Maryland an 8-6 victory within the sequence opener in School Park on Friday evening. The Terps will face off in opposition to Ohio State twice extra this weekend as they give the impression of being to proceed their scorching Huge Ten begin.

“Bob’s the person, like that man has labored actually laborious. He’s had some ups and downs this 12 months,” head coach Rob Vaughn mentioned. “An evening like tonight is an evening that Bobby will bear in mind 30 years from now and so [I’m] actually comfortable for him and actually comfortable for our staff.”

Junior pitcher Nick Dean saved the Buckeyes scoreless within the prime of the primary, and Maryland’s offense capitalized.

Ohio State sophomore pitcher Nate Haberthier’s first pitch of the day was despatched proper again at him as sophomore catcher Luke Shliger ripped a leadoff single up the center.

After junior third baseman Nick Lorusso smacked a double to left-center discipline, Costes hit a gradual floor ball to 3rd that scored Maryland’s first run.

Again-to-back singles scored the ultimate two runs of the primary inning as Costes and Schreffler gave the Terps a 3-0 lead.

Dean was dealing to start the highest of the second, forcing two fast outs. He didn’t discover the identical success together with his subsequent two pitches, nevertheless, as Ohio State hit back-to-back house runs, slicing Maryland’s result in one.

The Buckeyes fully erased the primary inning deficit within the prime of the third. With runners on first and second, sophomore heart fielder Kade Kern lined an RBI double to left-center discipline, tying the sport at three apiece. That was all of the injury Ohio State may do as Dean compelled two straight flyouts.

Maryland regained the lead within the prime of the fourth because of a two-out rally. Sophomore shortstop Kevin Keister bought issues rolling with a double to proper discipline, and designated hitter Ian Petrutz despatched him house on a single by way of the left aspect.

Dean solely noticed three batters within the fourth. He struck out the ultimate batter of the inning with freshman Jacob Orr and Keister caring for the opposite two outs with the sport’s first double play.

The Terps’ bats bought proper again at it within the backside of the fourth, extending their result in two.

Alleyne and Lorusso every hit infield singles earlier than Costes popped as much as shortstop. Fortunately for Maryland, the ball was dropped, leaving room for Alleyne to make a break for house. Alleyne scored the Terps lone run of the inning as they left the bases loaded to finish the inning.

After an uneventful fifth inning, Ohio State introduced Maryland’s lead again down to at least one within the prime of the sixth.

Redshirt sophomore designated hitter Blayne Robinson drilled a triple to deep heart discipline, which Alleyne barely missed as he made contact with the wall. A groundout to first scored Robinson, the one run of the inning because the Terps couldn’t reply.

Freshman Noah Mrotek relieved Dean within the prime of the seventh and bought off to a shaky begin, permitting back-to-back singles. Nonetheless, Mrotek was in a position to accumulate himself earlier than any injury was executed, recording a groundout and a strikeout to finish the inning.

Schreffler tried to revive the Maryland offense within the backside of the seventh, singling by way of the appropriate aspect after which stealing second. He was met with no assist, although, as three consecutive outs adopted.

Mrotek didn’t make it by way of the eighth as senior Sean Heine relieved him after three batters. With runners on first and third, Heine delivered a wild pitch, scoring junior proper fielder Mitchell Okuley from third to tie the sport at 5.

Heine then walked two batters and hit one other, giving Ohio State its first lead of the sport. Redshirt sophomore David Falco closed out the inning, forcing a groundout to second base.

The Terps have been unable to attain within the eighth, so it was as much as Falco to maintain the deficit manageable. Falco did simply that, recording a 1-2-3 inning.

With runners on first and second and no outs, Zmarzlak’s bomb over the left-center discipline wall gave Maryland the sequence opening win.

Three issues to know

1. Nick Dean didn’t appear to be himself. Maryland’s Friday evening ace didn’t have a poor efficiency, however wasn’t his ordinary dominant self at present. After recording 4 straight outs, Dean let up back-to-back homers within the second inning, which visibly pissed off him. He completed the evening permitting seven hits and 4 runs, whereas making a number of errors within the discipline. Dean’s efficiency ought to simply be a blip on the radar, however he should return to his starting of the season type if the Terps need to proceed their Huge Ten dominance.

“Nick did his job and gave us an opportunity to win tonight, which is what you’re presupposed to do, it’s what you want out of your Friday man,” Vaughn mentioned.

2. Maryland’s aid pitchers struggled to throw strikes. As soon as Dean left the sport, Mrotek produced a strong seventh inning, however the eighth inning was a coach’s nightmare. Mrotek hit one batter and walked the subsequent as Shliger allowed two handed balls. When Heine entered the sport, not a lot modified as Ohio State took its first lead of the sport.

“Heine’s been our savior this 12 months man, that’s our go-to dude and [he] simply didn’t have it tonight,” Vaughn mentioned.

3. The Terps missed Matt Shaw tonight. Maryland’s beginning shortstop was inactive at present, and the Terps missed him in each elements of the sport. The sophomore was Maryland’s clean-up hitter and defensive anchor. His absence was felt, particularly when the Terps failed to provide runs within the recreation’s center innings.

“I really feel like everybody, you understand, takes a step up, does their job. Matt’s an important participant, however everybody simply must do the most effective they will do,” Zmarzlak mentioned.

Shaw’s standing for the remainder of the sequence is questionable.

“We’re simply making an attempt to not rush him again, you understand, it’s a protracted season,” Vaughn mentioned. “Hope to have him again doubtlessly in a DH sort scenario tomorrow perhaps, however it’s going to be how he feels.”