In a high-scoring game that saw the lead change hands four times, Maryland outlasted Northwestern, 9-7, to win for the third time this weekend in Iowa City, IA. Overall, Maryland has now won six of its last seven games and stands at 16-13 this season. 

The Terps took the lead for good with a three-run fifth inning, to lead 7-6 and added two more runs in the seventh. In that fifth inning, Northwestern had taken a 6-4 lead in the their half on a two-run single by Ethan O’Donnell. Bobby Zmarzlak answered O’Donnell with his own two-run single to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth. Then, Chris Alleyne’s single to right brought home Zmarzlak for the go-ahead run.  

Sean Fisher’s relief pitching was a major story in the game. The senior came into the game with a 9.00 ERA on the season, but had his best outing of the year. Coming on for Jason Savacool, who lasted just 4 1/3 innings, Fisher threw 4 2/3 innings to earn the win. Fisher did not allow an earned run, striking out five Wildcats. 

Northwestern opened the scoring in the first on a throwing error from catcher Luke Shliger, allowing Shawn Goosenberg to score, 1-0. The Terps came out swinging at their first at bat, with Maxwell Costes and Tommy Gardiner each driving a run in on singles to center field scoring Benjamin Cowles and Costes. Shliger then scored on an error by the catcher to bring the score at the end of the first to 3-1, Maryland.

The Wildcats tallied one run in the second as Leo Kaplan singled to left field allowing O’Donnell to score. Maryland was able to strengthen their lead off Matt Shaw’s single to bring home Chris Alleyne, pushing the lead to 4-2. 

Northwestern tied up the game on a double to left field from Goosenberg, driving in Kaplan, evening the game at 4-4. The Wildcats then took the lead in the fifth, 6-4. But, Maryland bounced right back, re-capturing the lead once again, 7-6. 

The Terps added to their lead in the seventh inning recording two more runs. Kevin Keister grounded into a double play to bring home Gardiner and Tucker Flint was able to score off a throwing error by the shortstop Goosenberg. 

Fisher held the Wildcats scoreless through the eighth and allowed just one final run in the ninth, off a single to left-center. The Terps will look to continue their winning momentum as they take on the Minnesota Gophers (4-23), who have lost 10 games in a row, next weekend in College Park.