Coming off a rollercoaster weekend in Winston-Salem, the Maryland Terrapins baseball team (7-5) has found itself battle-tested and ready to open Big Ten play. The Terps secured three wins in four games against Princeton and No. 12 Wake Forest, showing both offensive firepower and resilience. After capping off a successful weekend with a midweek win over James Madison, Maryland now turns its focus to a marquee home series against UCLA, which will be the first conference matchup between the two programs since the Bruins joined the Big Ten.
Offensive Fireworks Against Princeton
Maryland’s offense has been its biggest weapon this season, and that trend continued last weekend. In Friday’s 17-1 demolition of Princeton, the Terps’ bats exploded for 10 runs in the second inning alone. Aden Hill led the way with two home runs in the same inning—becoming the first Maryland player to do so since 2018. The team combined for four long balls, while starter Kyle McCoy delivered seven dominant innings, allowing just one run and striking out nine.
The following day, Maryland’s offense stayed hot in a 10-7 win over Princeton. Hill and Alex Calarco continued their hot streaks, with Calarco extending his then-NCAA-leading RBI total. The Terps built a comfortable six-run lead before a shaky ninth inning forced senior Andrew Johnson to record the final two outs and notch his first save of the season.
Comeback of the Year Against Wake Forest
Maryland’s biggest statement of the season thus far came in Saturday’s second game—a thrilling 9-8 comeback victory over No. 12 Wake Forest. The Terps jumped out to a 4-0 first-inning lead, but the Demon Deacons stormed back and took an 8-6 lead into the ninth. With two outs and two strikes, Eddie Hacopian legged out an infield single, keeping Maryland’s hopes alive. That moment sparked an improbable rally, as three straight Terps—Calarco, Hollis Porter, and Jacob Orr—delivered clutch RBI singles to right field, giving Maryland a stunning late lead.
Johnson, pitching for the second time that day, then shut the door in the bottom of the ninth, stranding two runners on base to seal the win. The victory was their first over a ranked opponent this season.
Sunday Struggles Against Wake Forest
Despite their earlier heroics, Maryland couldn’t finish the weekend with a sweep. Tied 1-1 in the seventh inning of Sunday’s series finale, Wake Forest’s Ethan Conrad crushed a three-run homer off Maryland reliever Jack Wren, breaking the game open. The Demon Deacons tacked on five more runs in the final two innings to pull away for a 9-1 win.
Starter Logan Hastings, making his first collegiate start, put together an encouraging performance, striking out seven over five innings while allowing just one run. However, Maryland’s offense struggled, putting together just four hits against a strong Wake Forest pitching staff.
Bouncing Back Against James Madison
Returning home Tuesday night, Maryland rebounded with an 8-4 win over James Madison. Once again, it was Calarco who led the charge. The senior slugger crushed a two-run homer in the seventh inning—his eighth of the season—to help the Terps pull away. He also ripped a two-run double in the fifth, adding to the growing belief that he is one of the best hitters in college baseball.
Freshman pitcher Jake Yeager delivered an impressive outing, shaking off some early control issues to throw five innings with just one run allowed, earning his first collegiate win. Ryan Van Buren provided another strong relief effort, and Johnson closed things out.
With the win, Maryland secured its 800th all-time victory at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium.
Big Ten Opener: Maryland vs. UCLA
Now, the Terps turn their attention to UCLA, which will mark the first-ever Big Ten series between the two programs. The Bruins (10-3) enter the weekend riding high after a dominant 22-5 win over Michigan, boasting one of the deepest pitching staffs in the country.
Scouting UCLA
The Bruins have a balanced roster, featuring strong arms and a deep lineup.
Key Hitters:
Roch Cholowsky (.326 AVG, 16 R, 20 RBIs) anchors the lineup.
Cashel Dugger (.346 AVG, 11 HRs, 8 RBIs) provides plenty of power.
Top Pitchers:
Luke Rodriguez (0.63 ERA, 13 K in 14.1 IP) has been nearly untouchable.
Justin Lee has yet to allow a run in seven appearances.
The Bruins’ pitching depth has been their biggest strength, holding opponents to a .227 batting average. However, they rank near the bottom of the Big Ten in stolen bases, which could be a factor if Maryland looks to be aggressive on the basepaths.
Keys to the Series
Can Maryland’s Offense Stay Hot?
The Terps lead the Big Ten in home runs and have been one of the most explosive lineups in the country. However, UCLA’s pitching staff presents their toughest test yet. Calarco, Hill, and Hacopian will need to continue driving the offense.
Battle of the Bullpens
Maryland’s bullpen has been inconsistent, while UCLA has several arms with perfect ERAs. If games stay close, the Terps must find a way to match the Bruins’ late-inning stability.
UCLA’s Travel Factor
The Bruins are traveling cross-country for this series, which could impact their performance early in the weekend. Maryland must take advantage, especially in Friday’s opener.
Final Thoughts
Maryland has proven it can compete with ranked opponents and handle adversity. The Wake Forest series showcased both their resilience and their weaknesses. If they can maintain their offensive firepower and get consistency from their bullpen, they have a chance to make an early statement in Big Ten play.
Schedule:
Friday, March 7 - 4pm
Saturday, March 8 - 2pm
Sunday, March 9 - 12pm
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