Miami Loses To Maryland, 5-4
March 25, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (www.hurricanesports.com) – The 14th-ranked Miami baseball team committed a season-high five errors in a 5-4 loss to Maryland Saturday night at Shipley Field. The loss was Miami’s (22-7 overall, 7-1 ACC) first in conference play and ended a 16-game winning streak. Maryland improved to 10-14 overall and 4-7 in the ACC.
Miami’s defense, which had the highest fielding percentage in the ACC prior to the series and was a key component in the winning streak, was the Hurricanes’ Achilles’ Heel Saturday. The five errors played a part in three of the Terrapins’ five runs, including two runs on two errors in a decisive eighth inning.
UM closer Chris Perez came on to start the eighth inning for the Hurricanes with a 4-3 lead. Perez walked Gary Spessard to start the inning and fielded Joe Palumbo’s sacrifice bunt attempt, but his throw went off second baseman Jemile Weeks’ glove at first and into foul territory in right field. Spessard scored from first and Palumbo advanced to second on the play, tying the game at 4-4. A wild pitch and infield single by Mike Murphy put runners at the corners with no outs. Perez struck out Nick Jowers for the first out of the inning and looked like he would escape with minimal damage when Dan Benick hit a double-play ball to shortstop Walter Diaz. Diaz mishandled the ball and Palumbo scored what turned out to be the game-winning run.
Maryland closer Brett Cecil forced three fly-outs in the ninth inning to improve to 4-2 on the season. Perez (0-1) was charged with the loss and had three strikeouts.
Manny Miguelez went six-plus innings in the no-decision for Miami, giving up seven hits and two earned runs with six strikeouts and one walk. Terrapin starter Ben Pfinsgraff threw seven solid innings and gave up two earned runs for Maryland.
The series concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. at Shipley Field.
