UMBC

TOWSON, Md. – Junior righthander MIKE JOHNSON (Quince Orchard H.S./Gaithersburg, Md.) pitched a six-hit shutout as UMBC (13-15) won its fifth game in a row, a 6-0 non-conference victory over Towson University (19-17) at Schuerholz Park.

Johnson, who earned his first win of the season as well as his first shutout, scattered six hits and walked just one batter with three strikeouts. The Tigers, who came into the game with a .307 team batting average, managed just five singles and one double. In nine innings, the Tigers never got a base runner past second base.

The win was UMBC’s fifth in a row and the Retrievers’ seventh victory in their last eight games. It was also UMBC’s second consecutive shutout and only the second time this season that Towson had been shut out.

UMBC took a 2-0 lead in the second inning when senior third baseman BRAD GLASCOCK (C. Milton Wright H.S./Bel Air, Md.) singled with two outs. Senior designated hitter SCOTT KOSMICKY (Archbishop Curley H.S./Baltimore, Md.) followed with a two-run homer to left center field, giving the Retrievers a 2-0 lead. It was Kosmicky’s fourth home run of the season and the 29th of his college career.

In the fifth inning, the Retrievers added two more runs and knocked Towson starter DENNIS LANE (Stephen Decatur H.S./Berlin, Md.) out of the game. A leadoff walk to sophomore left fielder JAY LONG (Old Mill H.S./Millersville, Md.) started the rally. Long moved into scoring position on a passed ball and scored on a single by center fielder MIKE ORLANDO (West Irondequoit H.S./Rochester, N.Y.). After a base hit by Glascock, an RBI single by Kosmicky scored Orlando and gave UMBC a 4-0 lead.

In the eighth inning, the Retrievers added an unearned run when junior shortstop DAN CARPENTER(Old Mill H.S./Glen Burnie, Md.). After moving to third base on a pair of infield outs, Carpenter scored on an error by Towson third baseman PAT FIELDS (Hammond H.S./Columbia, Md.), giving UMBC a 5-0 lead. In the ninth inning, UMBC loaded the bases with no outs and threatened to break the game wide open. A bases-loaded walk to senior right fielder CHRIS YETTER (Wilde Lake H.S./Columbia, Md.) drove in UMBC’s sixth run before sophomore lefthander JON TAPPER (Owings Mills H.S./Owings Mills, Md.) came in from the bullpen to strike out the side.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Tigers had back-to-back singles by Fields and sophomore designated hitter JEREMY STIFLER (North Harford H.S./Jarrettsville, Md.). However, Johnson retired senior second baseman TOM TRELA (St. Paul’s H.S./Baldwin, Md.) on an infield grounder to end the game.

Glascock led UMBC’s 12-hit attack by going four-for-five with two runs scored. Kosmicky was three-for-five with three RBI’s while Orlando also had two hits. Stifler led the Tigers with a pair of singles.