Top-seeded UCLA falls against Maryland

Maryland Coach John Szefc returns to the dugout Sunday night, where he will find his team one victory away from advancing in the NCAA baseball tournament.

Szefc has been a spectator the first two games of the UCLA Regional after being suspended two games by the NCAA after his ejection in the Big Ten Conference tournament championship game. What he has seen so far has been pleasing to his eyes.

The Terrapins (41-20) handled top-seeded UCLA on Saturday, coming away with a 4-1 victory at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

A chorus line of pitchers and timely hitting left the Terrapins needing only a vic- tory to advance to a super regional. The situation for the Bruins (43-15) is more dire. They need three consecutive victories to win the regional, starting with Cal State Bakersfield on Sunday.

The winner of that game plays Maryland on Sunday night.

The Bruins seemed to be in a good position entering the game with Grant Watson on the mound. But the Terrapins came up with key moments against one of UCLA’s most effective postseason starters.

Watson’s 30 all-time victories are the second-most in UCLA history, behind Trevor Bauer’s 34. But Watson scuff led in 62⁄ innings against a Maryland team that came up with key hits when needed.

Watson gave up two singles in the second inning be- fore Tim Lewis sliced a high f ly that dropped just fair for a two-run triple.

In the third, LaMonte Wade hit a home run. Kevin Smith followed with the double and later scored on a ground out by Kevin Martir.

Earlier, Cal State Bakersfield got its first Division I NCAA tournament victory, beating Mississippi, 2-1.

Hayden Carter (9-3) threw his eighth complete game and Soloman Williams hit a fourth-inning home run. That was enough to allow the Roadrunners (3723-1) to stick around another day.

“Winning a [tournament] game instead of just showing up is a major step forward for the program,” Coach Bill Kernen said.