UMD’s Shawaryn Proves To Be Too Much For Penn State

Story posted April 30, 2016 in CommRadio, Sports by Gregory Merchlinsky

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa - It was a damp, misty and foggy night at Medlar Field, but none of that seemed to faze Maryland pitcher Mike Shawaryn. The junior from Carneys Point, New Jersey was a dominating force on the mound Friday as he led the Maryland Terrapins (22-18, 8-5 Big Ten) to a 7-1 win over Penn State (24-19, 9-7).  Shawaryn pitched all nine innings while only allowing four hits and striking out six.

Maryland was led by DH Maddison Nickens who went 2-4 on the night with 3 RBIs with a two-run shot in the 5th and a solo homerun in the 9th. Penn State was only able to gather one run on the night off a groundout by Tyler Kendall which allowed Greg Guers to score.

Taylor Lehman started the night for Penn State, but his night would end shortly. Lehman only pitched four innings and gave up five runs on six hits.

The Penn State defense was a problem by giving up three errors on the night, with two runs being scored off of those errors. Penn States also couldn’t get hot as they were only able to muster up four hits, with Connor Klemann having two of those hits.

Nick Riotto also made his return to the lineup and was able to jump right back into the game when he made a diving catch in right field to end the 1st inning.

“It seemed to me like he didn’t miss a beat, he was impressive. He played good outfield, he put some good swings on the ball. He is a guy we missed in the lineup for sure”, said Penn State coach Rob Cooper when asked about Riotto’s return to the lineup.

In the top of the first, Maryland started the game off on the right track when Left fielder Mary Costes drove in a run on an error from Kevin Smith. The Terrapins would later drive in two more runs in the 3rd and two more in the 4th with one run coming off on an errant throw by pitcher Taylor Lehman which gave Maryland a 5-0 lead.

Tom Mullin, who replaced Lehman in the 5th, pitched a fantastic game as a long reliever and was able to prevent the Lions from having to dip further into their bull-pen Friday night.

Rob Cooper was also very pleased with his relief pitcher performance and said “I’m so proud of him. He pitched his tail off. He is a guy who went a big chunk of the season without seeing the mound, and kept working and fighting and really kept us in that game.”

Mullin was replaced by Jared Fagnano in the 9th, but ended his night with four hits and two earned runs and a career high four strikeouts.

The Lions were finally able to put a run on the board in the 6th when Greg Guers doubled to left-center advancing Nick Riotto to the 3rd base. Tyler Kendall was able to drive in the run when he hit a grounder to 2nd base to allow Guers to advance home and score on a groundout and cut Maryland’s lead to 4.

Maryland, however shattered any hope of a Penn State comeback when in the 9th inning Madison Nickens ripped one to right center field and Marty Costes was able to drive in a run as well making the score 7-1.

Penn State will face Maryland Saturday in double header with the first game starting at 3 p.m.

Gregory Merchlinsky is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism and minoring in political science. To contact him, email glm5163@psu.edu.