COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Sophomore leftfielder Mike Montville scored the game-winning run on an error with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning as Maryland (27-15) edged the Tigers (20-22) in a non-conference game at Shipley Field on Wednesday night.

The Terps' ninth-inning rally spoiled a very strong pitching performance from junior righthander Mike Volpe, sophomore lefthander Kyle Paul and sophomore righthander Chris Acker.

In six innings of work, Volpe allowed one run on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Paul allowed one hit in 0.1 innings before Acker surrendered one unearned run on one hit with a walk and three strikeouts.

With the score tied at 1-1, Acker hit Montville with a pitch to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning. Montville reached second base when Acker threw a wild pitch while striking out freshman designated hitter Matt Bosse. Acker struck out freshman leftfielder Andrew Amaro for the second out. It appeared that Acker would escape the jam when junior catcher Jack Cleary hit a ground ball to junior third baseman Zach Fisher. Normally a sure-handed fielder, Fisher made an error on the play and Montville scored the game-winning run.

In a game in which each teams had six hits, senior righthander Sander Beck threw a complete game for Maryland, upping his record to 4-1. He walked three and struck out five as he pitched his way out of several jams.

The Tigers, who left 15 runners on base in a 9-1 loss to Maryland on Tuesday, stranded eight runners in Wednesday's loss.

Towson scored first in the game as the Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Freshman third baseman Mike Draper (below, right) led off the inning with a single to centerfield. With one out, freshman first baseman Brendan Butler smashed a triple to centerfield, scoring Draper with the first run of the game. But, Beck stranded Butler at third base when he struck out sophomore rightfielder Dominic Fratantuono and freshman desi gnated hitter Peter Bowles.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, junior rightfielder Jordan Hagel led off with a double to left field. He moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt by first baseman Tomo Delp. Hagel scored the tying run when Volpe was called for a balk.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Volpe pitched out of a jam as Maryland placed two runners on base with two outs. He recovered by retiring freshman third baseman K.J. Hockaday on a ground ball to third before sophomore second baseman Kyle Convissar was retired on a fly ball to leftfield.

In the seventh inning, sophomore Brandon Gonnella reached third base on a throwing error by Beck, who was trying to pick him off first base. But, Gonnella was stranded at third when freshman Ryne Willard struck out and freshman Richie Blosser grounded out to shortstop.

In the bottom of the seventh, Montville led off with a double and reached third on a sacrifice bunt. Acker came in from the bullpen and pitched out of the inning by retiring Amaro on a ground ball back to the mound and Cleary on a grounder to third base.

Draper led off the eighth inning with his third hit of the game. He reached third base with two outs but Beck retired Fratantuono on a ground ball to second base.

In the ninth inning, the Tigers squandered another chance to take the lead. Bowles led off with a walk and went to second base on a sacrifice bunt by junior catcher Andrew Parker. When Gonnella was hit by a pitch, the Tigers had two runners on base with one out. Pinch-hitting for Willard, Fisher drew a walk to load the bases. But, Beck pitched out of the jam by getting Blosser to hit a ground ball to third base. Hockaday threw to home plate to retire Bowles for the second out. Draper, who already had three hits, grounded out to second base to end the threat.

Draper led the Tigers with three hits, the first three-hit game of his career. Butler, Bowles and Parker accounted for Towson's other three hits.

Hagel led Maryland with two hits and scored a run.

The Tigers return to action this weekend when they travel to Northeastern University for a three-game Colonial Athletic Association series.