The University of Maryland Baseball team is headed back to the Super Regionals and two Harford County men are a good reason why.
The Terrapins (42-22) won the NCAA Los Angeles region Monday night, beating host and overall number one seed, UCLA, 2-1, in the decisive game. The Terps went 3-1 in the region and pitchers Bobby Ruse (senior, C. Milton Wright) and Kevin Mooney (junior, North Harford) were major contributors.
In Monday's final, Mooney came on in relief and pitched three scoreless innings and earned the save, his 11th this season. Mooney, who saved all three Maryland wins in the region, allowed two hits and a walk, while striking out five.
Mooney pitched an inning with two strikeouts in Saturday's 4-1 win over UCLA and in Friday's opening 3-1 win over Ole Miss, Mooney struck out all three batters in an inning of work.
Ruse pitched scoreless baseball in three straight games. In Friday's win, Ruse tossed two hitless innings with a pair of strikeouts. In Saturday's game, Ruse pitched an inning and two-thirds, allowing one hit and one walk.
Ruse's final appearance came in the Terps 4-2 loss UCLA on Sunday, which forced Monday's deciding game. Ruse pitched one inning, allowing one hit. He also struck out one.
The Terps will meet host Virginia in this weekend's Super Regional. Play begins Friday with start time yet to be announced.