The Terps evened the three-game series Saturday.
Looking to even the three-game series Saturday, Maryland baseball strung together several innings of multiple-run explosions, including two standout hits from Elijah Lambros.
The Terps erupted in a dominant performance, defeating Indiana 17-4 in just seven innings — a mercy rule game.
After being held scoreless in the top of the first inning, Maryland responded in a big way in the second, flipping a 1-0 deficit into a six-run rally that set the tone for the game. A single from Alex Calarco plated Chris Hacopian, followed by a grand slam from Hollis Porter that scored Calarco and Paul Jones II. A RBI walk to Eddie Hacopian closed the inning with the Terps leading 6-1.
Maryland kept the offense flowing going into the third inning, adding eight more runs and blowing the game wide open. After Brayden Martin drew a walk and scored Aden Hill, a knockout homer from Jacob Orr scored Martin, Lambros and Jones II.
Indiana managed a solo homer from Devin Taylor in the bottom of the half of the third inning, but Joey McMannis quickly settled back in, retiring the next three batters.
Lambros led off with a double to left-center field in the fourth inning, continuing his strong day at the plate. Martin followed with an infield single to shortstop, moving Lambros to third. Orr then hit into a double play, but Lambros came home to score Maryland’s 15th run of the game. Eddie Hacopian struck out swinging to end the frame, but the Terps had extended their lead once again.
Lambros stayed hot in the sixth inning, launching a solo home run to center field for his second long ball of the game to give Maryland a 16-2 lead. The Hoosiers threatened in the sixth after a two-run homer from Jasen Oliver off Maryland reliever Ryan Van Buren. But the Terps still led comfortably.
Chris Hacopian put the final stamp on Maryland’s dominant performance with a solo home run to center field in the top of the seventh. Van Buren blanked the Hoosiers in the bottom half, sealing the Terps’ 17-4 victory due to the 10-run mercy rule after seven innings.
The Terps totaled 15 hits, led by Lambros and Orr, who both recorded five RBIs off of grand slams. Calarco added four RBIs of his own, while Lambros scored four runs. McMannis earned the win — his first of the season — allowing just two earned runs across five innings and striking out four.
Three things to know
1. Efficient day on the mound. Starting pitcher Joey McMannis gave Maryland four strong innings, allowing just three hits and two runs. Ryan Van Buren followed with two innings of strong work, giving up a two-run homer but otherwise keeping Indiana in check.
2. Defensive consistency. Maryland played an error-free game, a notable change from recent outings where defensive miscues led to extra innings. Clean fielding helped the Terps keep control even as Indiana tried to rally late.
3. Lambros builds momentum late in the season. Elijah Lambros is heating up at the right time. With four runs against Indiana, Lambros is showing signs of being a consistent power threat as Maryland heads into a pivotal stretch of its season.