Maryland fell behind early and never recovered Saturday night, losing 11-0, in seven innings to Illinois at Illinois Field. Maryland lost the first two games of the series. It’s the first time Maryland’s been swept in Big Ten play since the final weekend of last season.

The Terps (14-18, 3-9 Big Ten) allowed five runs in the first inning and couldn’t mount a response. The Illini (18-11, 7-5) continued to pile on with runs in four additional innings and clinched the run rule victory behind a strong outing from right-hander Regan Hall.

Illinois jumped all over Maryland starter Jake Yeager. 

Cameron Chee-Aloy led off with a single to center and Greg LaChance drove him in with a double down the left-field line. Collin Jennings grounded out to move LaChance to third, and Vytas Valincius followed with an RBI double to right-center. After a hit batter and an error loaded the bases, Jacob Schroeder doubled down the third-base line to clear them and make it 5-0.

Yeager exited in the fourth inning after allowing six runs — three earned — on four hits and two hit batters in three and a third innings.

Maryland threatened in the third when designated hitter Liam Willson and center fielder Elijah Lambros notched back-to-back singles, but the Terps left them stranded after a flyout by second baseman Eddie Hacopian.

Illinois added a run in the fourth on a wild pitch and tacked on another in the fifth with Chee-Aloy’s second RBI of the night — a single up the middle to score Schroeder.

In the seventh, Illinois put the game away. 

Grant Ross singled and moved to third on a wild pitch. Jack Zebig walked and Jennings drilled a three-run home run to right-center, ending the game early.

Cristofer Cespedes gave up five runs across two and a third innings in relief for Maryland. 

The Terps totaled just four hits and struck out nine times.

Maryland will play two mid-week games before taking on Oregon at home for its next weekend series. The Terps first mid-week will be on Tuesday at home against Georgetown.