COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Rutgers baseball dropped a close Friday night game to Maryland, losing 6-4 in the series opener in College Park.
Despite the Scarlet Knights (15-14, 1-3) holding a 3-1 lead after five innings, the Terrapins (18-12, 3-1) tied it in the sixth and took the lead in the seventh on a three-run home run.
RU got off to a strong start, posting two quick runs in the first inning on a double play and bases-loaded walk. The early run support allowed starter
Grant Besser to get in a groove in the mound.
Starting the second straight game for Rutgers and making his first Big Ten start, Besser put forth a very strong effort for his team. He allowed an unearned run in the second and a solo home run in the sixth for his only damage of the game. He pitched 5+ innings, yielding two runs (one earned) on four hits, while striking out three and walking none.
After a
Ryan Lasko solo home run in the fifth made it 3-1 in favor of RU, the Terps tied it in the sixth with a home run and unearned run when a throw to third went into left field.
Maryland put two runners on to lead off the seventh and hit a three-run home run to make it 6-3. While a Cam Love sac fly got back a run in the eighth,
Chris Brito was stranded on third to end the frame.
Jordan Sweeney led off the ninth with a single and quickly went to second on a wild pitch, but the next three Scarlet Knights were retired in order to end the game.
Drew Conover received the loss after putting on the go-ahead runners in the sixth, although he did strike out three in the frame.
Garrett French pitched the last two innings for RU, retiring six in a row with two strikeouts after yielding the home run.
Rutgers will continue its series at Maryland at 3 p.m. on Saturday, with the game set to be broadcast nationally on the Big Ten Network.
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