Maryland baseball can’t overcome pitching woes in 13-8 loss to Ohio State

When Tyler Pettorini stepped as much as the plate to start out the underside of the fourth inning, his Ohio State Buckeyes led 1-0. Freshman pitcher Kyle McCoy was cruising on the mound for Maryland baseball, having retired the final eight batters he had confronted after Pettorini’s first-inning RBI double.

When Ohio State’s sophomore third baseman dug into the batter’s field subsequent, it was nonetheless the fourth inning. And he put the sport away with a three-run residence run — a part of the Buckeyes’ eight-run body — successfully sealing what resulted in an 13-8 loss for the Terps.

Maryland (21-14, 6-3 Huge Ten) has received all three of its Huge Ten sequence to start out the season, however is but to finish a sweep. It received the primary two video games at Iowa earlier than a nine-run fifth inning killed any hopes within the third sport. Per week later, the Terps claimed victory to their first two video games towards Rutgers, however collapsed within the center innings in sport three after McCoy needed to exit resulting from harm.

Sunday was a dose of déjà vu for Maryland, which noticed its possibilities at taking all three video games in Columbus fade away in acquainted vogue. The Terps entered the sport having allowed the third-most runs within the Huge Ten however having scored the second-most within the convention, and Sunday’s displaying was a microcosm of these troubles. The final 5 video games Maryland has misplaced, it has allowed double-digit runs.

As soon as once more, regardless of a gradual begin, the Terps’ offense was not a problem — it was their pitching.

What transpired in between Pettorini’s two fourth-inning at-bats was nothing in need of a catastrophe for Maryland. The wheels fell off for McCoy, who walked 4 straight batters after Pettorini’s leadoff single earlier than he was relieved by sophomore Andrew Johnson.

No matter refuge Johnson was meant to offer from the oncoming Buckeyes storm, he didn’t.

With Ohio State main 3-0 and the bases nonetheless loaded, the sport started to spiral out of hand. An RBI single, balk, sacrifice fly and stroll arrange Pettorini, who positioned the dagger within the coronary heart of the Terps — who have been already on life help by this level — with a three-run blast to proper subject to punctuate the inning.

Even with the potent Maryland offense lurking, the sport felt like little greater than a formality after the fourth inning lastly concluded. The Terps plated eight runs from the sixth inning on to offer a glimmer of hope, however Ohio State managed 4 extra runs to push it over the end line.

Maybe the top consequence would have been totally different had Maryland taken benefit of its alternatives early. The Terps moved a runner to 3rd in each the primary and second innings, however couldn’t carry them residence both time. Within the second, junior catcher Luke Shliger barreled a ball deep to left subject, however was robbed of a possible residence run by Ohio State freshman Matthew Graveline.

Within the sixth inning, junior second baseman Kevin Keister met an analogous destiny. Along with his Terps desperately attempting to claw again and two runs already throughout within the inning, his bid at additional bases was flagged down by sophomore heart fielder Trey Lipsey, who made a formidable snag whereas crashing into the middle subject wall to finish the inning.

A win simply wasn’t within the playing cards for Maryland on Sunday, because it as soon as once more got here up quick with a possibility to comb a convention opponent.

Three issues to know

1. Pettorini led the way in which for the Buckeyes. Pettorini went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a house run and 4 RBIs to guide Ohio State. He completed a triple shy of the cycle and practically obtained it within the eighth inning, however needed to accept one other two-bagger.

2. Ohio State spoiled McCoy’s return. McCoy needed to go away his begin final weekend early after being hit by a line drive, and it initially appeared like he can be pressured to overlook time. However, McCoy was again out on the mound only a week later, and whereas he couldn’t lead Maryland to a win, it was a welcome sight for the Terps to see their freshman southpaw again.

3. One other sequence win, however one other failed sweep. With a disappointing midweek file, Maryland’s NCAA Match hopes will doubtless relaxation on its skill to complete atop or, at a minimal, close to the highest of the Huge Ten. The Terps have received all three of their convention sequence to date this season, however Sunday marked one other missed alternative to make an announcement.