The Terps won just one in the three-game series.
Maryland and USF came into Sunday expecting a bullpen game in the rubber match of the weekend series.
Sophomore Corey Kling started for USF, while senior Omar Melendez made his first start for Maryland. This caused issues for both teams, as they combined for 11 runs in the first two innings. But they did it in different ways.
Maryland scored five runs on six hits, while USF recorded only two hits. Three different Maryland pitchers combined for nine walks, leading to six runs.
The walks remained an issue for the Terps, as USF cruised to a 15-8 win, spoiling Maryland’s chance at its first series victory.
After going 0-of-8 with runners in scoring position Saturday, Maryland (10-10, 1-2 Big Ten) immediately changed that mark in Sunday’s contest. Catcher Alex Calarco and Eddie Hacopian got on first and second with two outs, bringing up first baseman Hollis Porter, who destroyed a hanging slider over the wall to put the Terps up 3-0 in the first inning.
USF’s (9-8) offense looked to replicate the Terps, putting Melendez in an early jam. Despite being one strike away from ending the inning, senior shortstop Bradke Lohry’s RBI double brought in the Bulls’ first run.
Melendez couldn’t shake off the setback, as the walks became contagious for Maryland. He walked the next three batters while throwing 10 straight balls, tying the score and ending his day.
Andrew Johnson was brought on for the Terps. He continued this trend, walking his first two batters and throwing just one strike to bring in the leading runs for USF. Johnson finally gained his composure, forcing a flyout by Matt Rose to end the nightmare inning.
Maryland’s potent offense responded in the second inning, as freshman Parker Corbin and senior Elijah Lambros reached to open the inning. Corbin scored on a wild pitch before Chris Hacopian brought Lambros in on a single through the left side to tie the score.
Johnson struggled again in the second, walking the first two batters he faced. This ended his day after recording only one out, bringing in sixth-year right-handed pitcher Logan Koester. Koester walked his first batter, but soon made up for it. He recorded three outs on the next two batters, courtesy of a 6-4-3 double play.
Senior Jorge DeCardenas came in for USF, ending the offensive showcase. He struck out the side in the third inning, following it up with another 1-2-3 inning in the fourth. Koester, however, couldn’t build on his scoreless third inning. He allowed two singles before committing an error, allowing a USF run to score before recording an out.
After issuing the 10th walk of the day on the next batter to load the bases, Koester was replaced by sophomore Andrew Koshy. He allowed just one run to avoid falling into a further deficit.
Both Hacopian brothers reached base in the fifth inning. Porter’s high fly ball would’ve tied it, but it fell just short of the wall as the Terps failed to score. Lambros got one back in the sixth with an RBI double to cut the deficit to 8-6.
Koshy’s performance in relief kept the Terps afloat, but Brayden Ryan replaced him in the seventh inning and couldn’t replicate the success. He immediately allowed a home run to senior outfielder Jackson Mayo, while Sebastian Greico’s double and Lohry’s single up the middle extended the lead to five runs.
Senior left fielder Jacob Orr started the Terps’ rally, doubling to left field. Lambros delivered again with an RBI double, followed by Brayden Martin’s first hit of the day to bring in another run. This ended DeCardenas’s day, who pitched 5.2 strong innings in relief. Freshman Nolan Bernard used just one pitch to end the inning.
Sophomore Joey McMannis couldn’t break the trend, as USF added four insurance runs to erase all momentum the Terps gained, as they shut down the Terps in the ninth inning to hand them their 10th loss of the season.
Three things to know
1. Walks. All six Maryland pitchers issued a walk, totaling 16 on the day.
2. Pitching can’t back offense. Sunday’s loss marks the sixth game this season that the Terps have lost while scoring five or more runs.
3. Nonconference struggles. Maryland’s second nonconference series loss to USF likely impacts its postseason aspirations.