COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Wagner was able to tie things up in the top of the ninth and put up a new season high in hits, but ultimately fell 10-9 in its opener at Maryland.
Trailing 9-8 heading into the ninth, the Seahawks scratched across the tying run in the top of the frame then went to the bottom of the inning to try and forces extra innings, loading the bases with one out. An inning-ending double play was called successful on the field to send the game to extras, but a review of the play saw the umpire crew overturn the call and award the winning run to the Terrapins.
Junior Christopher Collina entered the game to throw the bottom of the ninth after redshirt sophomore Joseph Steventon gave up a pair of walks to start the frame. After a wild pitch put both runners in scoring position, Collina intentionally walked his first batter to load the bases, then struck out his second. A ground ball up the middle presented the opportunity the Seahawks needed to complete the double play — junior shortstop Dylan Immel was able to get the ball to second in time for the first out and sophomore Matt Sutera's throw over to first was originally ruled an out, but after a lengthy review, the umpire crew ultimately called the runner safe at first, allowing the runner from third to score the walk-off run.
Going into the ninth down a run, junior Josiah Ross worked a leadoff double, with junior Joseph Mennella pushing him into scoring position then Sutera sent an RBI single into right field to tie things at nine. Wagner's nine RBIs and three home runs are also new season highs. The run broke a stretch of four innings where the Terrapins had shut out the Seahawks, which had broken a three-inning scoring run where Wagner put up two, three and three runs to chase Maryland starter Lance Williams from the game. Eight of Wagner's runs are credited in Williams' final stat line.
Sutera's RBI was a major momentum swing and the hit put him at 2-of-5 on the day, his third multi-hit game of the season. The bats were hot Friday, with the top four hitters in the order recording a hit and seven total Seahawks finishing the game with a hit. Three Wagner hitters had multiple hits.
The 11 hits set a new single-game season high and mark Wagner's third game with double-digit hits this season. The first was a seven-run performance in the season opener at Virginia, where the Seahawks had 10 hits, then they added 10 more in the series finale against the Cavaliers where they put up eight runs.
Leadoff hitter Lukas Torres is batting .455 in 2026 after Saturday's game, going 1-of-4 with a walk. Batting second, Ross was 1-of-3 in the designated hitter role with three runs scored and a walk. Junior Diego Tavarez was 1-of-4 in the third slot and, the most efficient hitter on the day, junior Joseph Mennella was 3-of-5 with a pair of home runs to finish with six RBIs.
Putting the two runners on in the ninth means Steventon is the game's losing pitcher, with Collina ultimately recording two outs and finishing with a pitch count of 10. Steventon's 85-pitch relief appearance provides major protection for the bullpen going into the remainder of the series. Senior Colin Trizuto, in his third start of the season, went 4.0 innings and finished at 68 pitches.
Next up, the Seahawks return to Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium for game two against the Terrapins on Saturday, Feb. 28. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. EST.
