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Keep up to date with the Terrapins men’s lacrosse, baseball and softball teams this weekend. For more, visit diamondbackonline.com.
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ON THE BLOG FRIDAY, may 3, 2013
BASEBALL
Kirkpatrick’s presence boosts Terps Despite struggles, right-hander still contributing entering Clemson series By Daniel Popper Staff writer
right-hander brady kirkpatrick has battled shoulder injuries this season and has posted a 4.92 ERA. The Terps open a three-game series at Clemson tomorrow. file photo/the diamondback
Brady Kirkpatrick has not had the season he hoped for. The Terrapins baseball team’s right-hander compiled a 3.04 ERA last season in nine starts and two relief appearances for former coach Erik Bakich and was poised to be a staple in the 2013 starting rotation. And while Kirkpatrick has made a start in all 11 weekend series this season for the Terps — who play at Clemson in a three-game series starting Saturday — a nagging right shoulder injury requiring multiple MRIs has hindered his progress. The Eugene, Ore., native
sports a dismal 4.92 ERA and has struggled to pitch deep into games, averaging just more than five innings per start. That hasn’t stopped him from making an impact, though. Despite his struggles on the field, Kirkpatrick has been a veteran leader for a young Terps pitching staff, which features six true freshmen. “He’s been around, and he has a lot of experience,” coach John Szefc said. “He’s the kind of guy that can really help our program grow quickly, considering we have a lot of young guys, and he is one of the older guys. He really wants to take a major role in helping young guys develop on the field and off
the field, and he’s really helped our coaching staff to do that.” Kirkpatrick’s teammates also notice his off-the-field contributions. “He brings a lot to the dugout, and he brings a lot to the team, a lot of energy, a lot of high spirits,” said right fielder Jordan Hagel, one of only three seniors on the roster. “Even though he’s not doing that well, he doesn’t let that affect him, and he doesn’t let that affect the team. He’s there to help the team, keep us inspired and keep us playing well.” After Kirkpatrick allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks in less than two innings against Duke on April 27, Szefc brought him out of
the bullpen for the first time all season in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s 11-3 win over Towson. “We wanted to get him back on the mound,” Szefc said. “He had a tough outing on Saturday, and when that happens with a pitcher you want to get him back out there so he can kind of get his feel back and get feeling good about himself again.” B u t t h e s t ra te g y ba c kfired on the first-year coach. Despite entering the contest with a 10-run lead, Kirkpatrick struggled. He surrendered two earned runs on three hits and two walks before finally See tigers, Page 7
MEN’S LACROSSE
CLOSING THE ’GATE
Terps hope to shut down Baum, Colgate offense while avoiding third straight loss to Raiders By Aaron Kasinitz Staff writer
Goran Murray has been extra focused in the Terrapins men’s lacrosse film room this week and a bit more eager to get to practice each day. He’s getting antsy. The sophomore defender is looking forward to his veteran teammates’ Senior Day tomorrow and hopes to help the No. 7 Terps earn a critical win before NCAA tournament seeding is decided Sunday. But that’s not why this week is so different for the 2012 ACC Freshman of the Year. It’s because he can’t wait to guard Colgate attackman Peter Baum. Baum outmatched Murray and fellow defender Michael Ehrhardt a year ago, scoring five goals to lead his Raiders to a 13-11 victory in Hamilton, N.Y. So Murray — who has been assigned to defend Baum man-to-man — gets another opportunity at stymieing the reigning Tewaaraton Award winner when Colgate visits College Park tomorrow. “It’s fun,” Murray said. “I feel like within our defense scheme, that’s like a challenge for me.” Baum’s numbers have dipped this season, though. After posting a Patriot League-record 97 points in 2012, he has notched just 48 points this year. But Terps coach John Tillman said the Portland, Ore., native is still among the best players in the nation; he’s simply drawn more attention from opposing defenses. Attackman Ryan Walsh leads the Raiders in scoring with 35 goals, and five players on the squad have notched at least See raiders, Page 7
Colgate attackman Peter baum (top) scored five goals against Terps defender Brian Cooper (left), goalkeeper Niko Amato (center) and defender Michael Ehrhardt (right) in a 13-11 Raiders win last season. file photos/the diamondback
SOFTBALL
Schmeiser paces Terps into ACC finale Sophomore infielder close to notching record-breaking performance By Paul Pierre-Louis Staff writer
infielder Lindsey Schmeiser is one RBI away from tying Amber Jackson’s single-season Terps record of 56. The Terps travel to Blacksburg, Va., this weekend to play Virginia Tech in the season’s final ACC series. file photo/the diamondback
Laura Watten knows the struggles that typically plague young teams. After all, the Terrapins softball team is one. The Terps have had to endure sudden adversity during games throughout the season. While the upperclassmen often play a role in galvanizing the young bunch in these moments, the eighth-year coach said, there are also times when the team needs its key underclassmen to consistently produce. Shortstop Lindsey Schmeiser has stepped up at those times, leading the team in batting average, home runs and RBIs. Entering their final regular-season series, against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., this weekend, the Terps will look to the freshman to lead again.
“We depend on Lindsey a lot,” Watten said. “It’s been so great to see her grow so much throughout the season.” Schmeiser’s 55 RBIs are 14 more than catcher Shannon Bustillos’ secondplace total, and she’s one away from tying the Terps’ single-season record. An ankle injury sidelined Schmeiser during the team’s fall season. Upon her return in February, during the Terps’ five-game slide at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, she couldn’t get comfortable at the plate. Though she was struggling, Schmeiser kept a simple mindset in at-bats. “When I hit best is when I’m just not thinking about anything,” Schmeiser said. “Just seeing it and hitting it.” As she found her form offensively, the Terps’ bats began to heat up. From
late March to early April, the team only scored fewer than six runs on three occasions, winning nine of their 12 games in the process. Some of her memorable plays have also come on the base paths, including when she took advantage of a passed ball to notch the game-winning run against Florida State. “ S h e ’s o n e o f o u r b e s t b a s e runners,” Watten said. “She’s fast. She’s strong. She’s going to go up and hit the ball hard.” Schmeiser’s well-rounded offensive talent and competitive demeanor remind Watten of former Terps shortstop Amber Jackson. The comparison is fitting, especially if Schmeiser can surpass the program’s single-season See hokies, Page 7