BETHESDA, Md. (Interstat) — The Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers capitalized on early Georgetown mistakes and unleashed a decisive eight-run eighth inning to secure their first victory of the season, 12-7 over the Hoyas on Wednesday evening at Shirley Povich Field.

The Retrievers, who entered the game with an 0-3 record, were projected as significant underdogs by Interstat’s ELO system, which gave the Hoyas a 60.9 percent probability to win. UMBC defied those odds by piling up 13 hits and taking full advantage of four Georgetown errors and 11 walks issued by Hoya pitchers.

Georgetown, which fell to 5-4, saw its pitching staff struggle from the outset. The Retrievers struck for two unearned runs in the top of the first inning without a hit, as a walk, a single, and a pivotal error by starting pitcher J. Raab allowed Jesiah Carpenter and Dylan Melton to score.

UMBC added another unearned run in the second on an error by the shortstop, scoring Anthony Mascuilli, and pushed the lead to 4-0 in the fourth on an RBI single by Ehi Okojie that plated Carpenter.

The Hoyas, held to just one hit through the first six innings by UMBC starter O. Shaprow and reliever B. Fox, finally broke through in the fourth on an RBI double by J. Sheffield and added two more in the seventh on a run-scoring triple by A. Gilio and an RBI groundout by C. Peek, trimming the deficit to 4-3.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the top of the eighth inning, as the Retrievers sent 14 batters to the plate to break the game open. The inning featured a parade of free passes and key hits. With one out, Mascuilli was hit by a pitch and pinch-hitter Jacob Bagania walked. Both runners advanced on an error by the pitcher and a wild pitch allowed Mascuilli to score.

After another walk loaded the bases, Melton delivered the biggest blow of the afternoon, a two-run double to left field. Danny Orr followed with a two-run single, and after another Georgetown error, Bagania capped the outburst with an RBI single. When the inning finally ended, UMBC had scored eight runs on five hits, two walks, a hit batter, two errors, and a wild pitch, turning a tense one-run lead into a commanding 12-3 advantage.

Georgetown mounted a final rally in the bottom of the eighth, scoring four runs on a three-run double by A. Solomon and an RBI single by Gilio, but could not overcome the large deficit.

Melton led the Retrievers’ offensive charge, going 4 for 6 with a double, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Orr drove in two runs, while Carpenter scored three times. Kyle Eddington added two hits and scored twice.

For the Hoyas, Solomon’s three-run double was the highlight, accounting for half of the team’s six hits. Five Georgetown pitchers combined to walk 11 batters.

The win moves UMBC to 1-3 on the young season, providing a momentum shift after being swept in a three-game series at Longwood last weekend. Georgetown, coming off a dominant four-game sweep of Saint Peter’s, sees its record even at 5-4.

The Retrievers continue their season with a three-game home series against Monmouth beginning Saturday. Georgetown is scheduled to host Fairleigh Dickinson for a three-game set starting Friday.