The Maryland Terps (6-3) were in full control until the bottom of the seventh inning, where they faced a total collapse. VCU recorded 11 runs in the frame, with head coach Matt Swope making two pitching changes in the inning.
“Just a tough way to lose a ball game. We had way too many mental errors in that seventh inning that allowed it to keep going and get out of hand. We gave away too many outs, and sometimes innings like that can pile on as guys get a little tight. We get a chance this weekend to go out there and put something like this behind us.”
— Head coach Matt Swope was asked about the seventh inning after the game concluded.
Omar Melendez earned the start for the Terps, going three innings and only allowing two runs. His outing was aided by the potent Terps offense which scored four runs in the top of the second. Charlie Glennon registered his first RBI of the season. The Terps quickly loaded the bases, and Eddie Hacopian brought two more home via a two-run RBI single.
Logan Berrier replaced Melendez when he started to get in trouble after the fourth inning. Berrier had insurance as Maryland held a 3-0 lead. He had a quick 1-2-3 inning in the fifth but struggled in the sixth. He gave up three straight hits, which caused Swope to make a pitching change for the seventh inning.
Swope turned to Garret French, who recorded his first appearance this season. Unfortunately, it didn’t go as planned for French, who allowed his first five hitters to record base hits. The bottom of the seventh, which took more than 30 minutes to complete, was a disaster for the Terps. VCU’s offense scored 12 runs in the frame, but only five were earned. It took 12 batters for Maryland to record the first out, and the inning was too much to recover.
The Terps suffered another road loss and had their most significant deficit of the season against VCU. Maryland will head home to host Bryant for a three-game weekend series starting this Friday.
