Ian Petrutz stood at the plate in the top of the eighth with two outs in the inning, the score tied 1-1, and the count 2-2. Petrutz came through for the Terps, lining a single into right field scoring the go ahead run.
“[Petrutz] is a huge piece of this offense and in a big moment he had a really mature at-bat, he’s down to two strikes, competes,” said head coach Rob Vaughn.
The Terps added an insurance run an at-bat later via an RBI single from Eddie Hacopian, giving Maryland a 3-1 lead.
“Two really good at-bats from players that are just good ballplayers,” said Vaughn.
Maryland went on to beat the Ohio State Buckeyes, 3-2, and clinch a series victory.
The Terps came into the game following a series opening victory on Friday. Maryland got a strong performance from Jason Savacool, pitching six innings of one run ball. The lineup put up seven runs in that game, behind the power strokes of Luke Shliger and Matt Shaw, who each homered in the game.
Nick Dean got the starting assignment for the Terps in the Saturday matchup. Dean has dominated the beginning of conference play. In his last two starts, both against Big Ten opponents, Dean has allowed a combined five hits and two earned runs in 11 innings pitched. In that time, Dean has an ERA under two and a WHIP under one.
Dean’s opposition was right-hander Jonah Jenkins. Jenkins made his first start this season after his first 12 appearances of the year came out of the bullpen. Jenkins spotted a 2.2 ERA and 1.2 WHIP coming into the game, striking out 28 batters.
The first third of the game marked an old-fashioned pitchers duel. Dean and Jenkins traded scoreless innings through the first three frames. Dean allowed just two hits and walked just one in his first innings of work. Jenkins put together two 1-2-3 innings, only allowing baserunners in the first.
The Buckeyes’ best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the fourth when they loaded the bases with no outs. The bases were loaded via a double by Cole Andrews, a walk to Marcus Ernst, and a single by Nick Erwin. Dean got the next batter, Mitchell Okuley, to pop out to Nick Lorusso, keeping the runners at bay. Dean ended the threat striking out the next two batters.
“Just a gutty, gutty performance and what a senior is supposed to do,” said Vaughn. “He’s a superstar and I’m really proud of his toughness and what he gave us today.”
The scoreless duel ended in the next half inning via the bat of Zach Martin. Martin in his eighth game of the season (sixth start) put the Terps on the board with a solo homer. The home run, Martin’s second of the season, gave the Terps a 1-0 lead.
Jenkins’ day ended in the top of the sixth after allowing a one out double to Nick Lorusso. Lefty Jaylen Jones came into the game and got the Buckeyes out of the inning unscathed. Jenkins ended the game giving up just the one run on five hits, striking out one Maryland hitter in five and a third innings pitched.
Dean didn’t last much longer as he got the hook in the bottom of the sixth. Dean got the first out of the inning on a fly out to right field. The next two Ohio State batters singled. Dean walked the next batter to load the bases with one out. Dean, put into a similar situation to his one in the fourth, couldn’t replicate the same houdini act.
Dean allowed Josh McAlister to walk, driving in the tying run and marking the end of Dean’s outing. Dean handed the ball to Kenny Lippman who got the final two outs of the inning, keeping the score where it was. Dean added to his impressive start to conference play ending this game giving up one run on six hits. He walked four and struck out five as well.
The Buckeyes threatened to take their first lead of the game in the bottom of the seventh. Lippman gave up a one out single to Tyler Pettorini who was followed by Cole Andrews who hit a double down the left field line. The ball was fielded by the left fielder Jacob Orr who relayed the ball to Matt Shaw. Pettorini, hustling from first, rounded third and was heading home. Shaw fired a throw to Shliger at the plate, getting Pettorini out at home, preserving the 1-1 tie.
“It started with Orr in the outfield. He did a really good job playing it off the wall,” said Vaughn. “It was a quick relay. If he kicks it at the wall we don’t have a play. If he doesn’t hit Shaw in stride we don’t have a play. He goes out there and hits Shaw in stride and your first rounder just does what he’s supposed to do.”
That defensive play proved to be crucial, as it allowed Maryland to take the lead in the top of the eighth. A solo homer by Mitchell Okuley in the bottom of the eighth cut the Maryland lead in half, but that’s the last bit of scoring the Terps would allow.
David Falco Jr. closed the game for Maryland pitching one and a third innings, earning his fifth save of the season.
The win brings Maryland’s record to 21-13. The Terps have won six consecutive weekend series and have won all three of their Big Ten weekend series. The Terps will go for their second series sweep of the year when they take one Ohio State on Sunday.
