Maryland’s lineup on the first game of the season included many of the names fans had presumed the opening day lineup would contain. Luke Shliger, Matt Shaw, and Nick Lorusso filled out the top three. Ian Petrutz, newcomer Eddie Hacopian, and Kevin Keister were penciled into the next three spots. The seven-spot proved to be a surprise to most. 

Jacob Orr, the sophomore infielder, made the lineup, batting seventh and playing right field. 

Matt Woods, the intended starter, injured his back earlier in the morning at the team’s weightlifting session, said head coach Rob Vaughn. Knowing it was unlikely Woods would play in the game, Vaughn turned to Orr. 

“I was a little surprised because I didn’t know [Matt] Woods was injured going into that day,” said Orr. 

“Jacob wasn’t going to start the first game of the year. And then we’re at the lift that morning and Woods tweaks his back and all of a sudden it’s like, Hey, Jake, I know you didn’t think you’re going to start, but you’re in the starting lineup,” said Vaughn. 

Orr flourished in that game, adding a pair of firsts to his collegiate resume. Orr hammered his first home run of his collegiate career (a grand slam) as well as his first collegiate triple. Orr finished the game going two for four and tying his career high for RBI in a game, with five. 

“Coach just told me about like [an] hour, two hours before the game. So, I was like okay, just go out there help the team, help try to get a win,” said Orr. “Just happened to play pretty good that game. It felt pretty good.”

Orr’s developed into an invaluable piece of this Maryland team. Orr has shined this season in a super utility role for the Terps, playing in multiple different spots, a role he relishes. 

“I actually think it’s a lot of fun because, you know, I used to play just infield growing up,” said Orr. “Outfield is a lot of fun for me too. So being able to just see like, the different ways you can defend and play infield, play outfield is just a lot of fun.”

Orr has spent the majority of this season in the outfield grass after coming off a freshman campaign in which he only touched the infield dirt. Orr spent his freshman season at second and third base, primarily, playing in 21 games. Coming into this year knowing the infield was pretty much set, Orr wanted to do anything he could to get on the field. 

“I knew that we had a great group of guys, a lot of good position guys, so I was just trying to get on the field anyway I can, help the team [in] anyway,” said Orr. “Coaches suggested maybe trying the outfield a little, might need me a little bit this year, so just started working on it in the preseason.”

“I think it was pretty easy for him because Jimmy [Jacob Orr] wanted to be in the lineup,” said Vaughn. “The guy wanted to play and you look and when you have Kevin Keister, Matt Shaw, and Nick Lorusso, barring an injury, it’s probably going to be kind of tough to crack that.”

The preseason work has helped Orr transition into a solid defensive outfielder. Orr has a .952 fielding percentage this season.

“He’s done a great job out there. He’s just a really good athlete, he’s really instinctual, he can go get the ball,” said Vaughn. “He’s done a lot of those things at a high level.”

Orr has played in 20 games so far this season, starting 13 of them. Orr has played a pivotal part in the Terps weathering some early injuries. Orr’s versatility has allowed him to fill in for Woods and Bobby Zmarzlak when both were dealing with injuries earlier on in the season and provide a steadying force when guys are out of the lineup. His ability to come in a play at a high level has added a great value to the Maryland squad. 

“It’s just super valuable,” said Vaughn. “He can do it all, man. He can come in and play second base if I need him to, he can play third base, he can play center, he can play left, he can play right. And that creates immense value for these young players.”