Benick’s slam lifts Maryland over UVa

It was the one that got away.

On Saturday, that could have been said about a player and a game.

Maryland center fielder Dan Benick smashed a grand slam in the eighth inning off Virginia closer Matt Packer, changing the momentum and lifting the Terrapins to an 8-7 victory.

Benick, whose older brother Jon starred at UVa and took first-team All-ACC honors in 2000, lifted the the Terps (14-16, 4-10 ACC) to their first win at Davenport Field since April 25, 1999, and snapped their 18-game losing streak in the rivalry.

“I was just looking for a ball to drive and it happened to be the first pitch,” said Benick, who hails from Glen Lyon, Pa. “It was up. It was questionable until I saw the centerfielder shut it down and then I knew I hit it high enough to get it out.”

The towering homer landed near the top of the pine trees in left-center field, eventually dropping Virginia to 25-5 overall and 7-5 in the ACC.

The blast came after Virginia starter Andrew Carraway appeared in line for his fifth win of the season. The right-handed throwing senior allowed five hits and three earned runs in seven innings and left with a 5-3 lead following Virginia’s four-run frame in the sixth off Maryland starter Scott Swinson (5.1 IP, 9 H, 5 ER).

In the pivotal eighth, Virginia coach Brian O’Connor turned to reliever Kevin Arico, but the sophomore was unable to get an out as he loaded the bases.

O’Connor then summoned Packer, who worked a perfect ninth in Virginia’s 7-4 victory on Friday night, and the southpaw fanned Will Greenberg before allowing the homer to Benick.

“I give Maryland all the credit in the world. They took advantage of their opportunities,” said O’Connor, pointing out that Maryland stranded only four runners and Virginia left eight on base. “They fought and they weren’t going to go down easy, and with the bases loaded the kid put a great swing on the ball by Packer. “That’s baseball. We have always had great, tight games with Maryland and I am sure [today’s game] will be no different.

“Benick just stepped up for his team against our closer and he hit the ball hard. You have to tip your hat to him. You don’t see that very often. He stepped up for his club when they needed it the most.”

Virginia scored lone runs in the eighth on an RBI

single from pinch-hitter Scott Silverstein and in the ninth on an errant pick-off throw from reliever Dan Gentzler, but Cavaliers shortstop Tyler Cannon ended the game as he fanned on a 3-2 pitch.

Maryland, which finished with 10 hits, celebrated in unison following the final out in front of an announced crowd of 2,357, but Benick said the victory against his brother’s former team was not out of the ordinary.

“Virginia did look at me, but they found someone better,” Benick said. “There are no hard feelings. I am really happy where I am at and I have great teammates and great friends. I wouldn’t change it.

“I went to the school that I wanted to so it is not that different because none of this was here when my brother played here. There are no bragging rights with Virginia. He wants to see me do well and whatnot. It is a totally different situation but he did do good when he was here.”

Virginia, which was led by Steven Proscia’s four-hit performance, and Maryland will close out the series today at 1 p.m.