LaMonte Wade - Maryland Terrapins

Some believed the Maryland Terrapins baseball team would not advance past the Regional round of the NCAA Tournament, as they were placed with the top overall seed, UCLA. However, early Tuesday morning east coast time, the Terps topped the Bruins for the second time in the tournament, clinching the regional title.

In the opening game, the Terrapins beat Ole Miss 3-1. Mike Shawaryn picked up his 13th win and Kevin Mooney his ninth save in the process.

Next, Maryland had to face the top seeded UCLA Bruins. And they beat them for the first time, 4-1. Lamonte Wade hit a solo shot, and threw out a runner with a perfect throw from center field to prevent the Bruins from scoring more runs.

Maryland could have closed out the regional in their third game, but the Bruins showed their strength and forced a third game against Maryland with a 4-2 victory.

In the final game, Taylor Bloom and Mooney combined to three hit the Bruins in a 2-1 win to clinch the regional title.

Maryland’s junior center fielder Lamonte Wade was named the Los Angeles Regional Most Outstanding Player, due in part to these plays.

Maryland will advance to the Super Regional against Virginia beginning Friday.

Last year, the Terps found themselves in the same place, losing to UVA in the Super Regional. This year however, I believe the Terps will fare better, as Shawaryn and Wade, the leaders on both sides of the ball, seem to be firing on all cylinders, and Maryland will play in the College World Series for the first time in program history.