Big innings continue to be the theme of the season for Maryland baseball. 

Opposing teams continue to rack them up, while the Terps’ offense cannot produce them. 

That continued Saturday afternoon, when UCLA put up four runs in the first inning to help it cruise to an 8-3 win over the Terps. 

“In conference, you gotta play clean defense, limit freebies and get timely hits, said head coach Matt Swope. 

Maryland had a big opportunity in the eighth inning, loading the bases when down just four runs, but the offense could not score anything.  

“You’re gonna need one of those timely hits, whether it’s a double or a homerun,” said Swope. 

This is Maryland’s second straight conference series loss to open the Big 10 season. 

The Terps came out fiesty after yesterday’s mercy rule loss. Rylen Stocken doubled home David Mendez to kick off scoring. 

But UCLA hit Maryland with some deja vu, producing a big first inning. Roman Martin smacked an RBI double before Payton Brennan delivered the big blow, crushing a three-run homer to left field. 

Maryland had a response, with an Aden Hill solo shot to cut the UCLA lead down to two. 

UCLA got right back to smacking Maryland starter Evan Smith. The Bruins added three more runs in the third, bringing their total to six. 

The Terps offense kept up their valiant effort and forced UCLA starter Michael Barnett out of the game after Devin Russell hit an RBI double. 

Barnett threw 3 ⅓ innings, allowing three runs and striking out four. 

Smith’s day also ended after three and ⅓ innings. He gave up seven runs, six earned, without striking out a batter. This was the worst of a string of poor starts from Smith, who has given up multiple runs in every start this season, without ever going more than four innings. 

The bullpens then took control of the game. For UCLA, Wylan Moss came in and dominated the Maryland lineup. 

Moss threw 3 ⅔ innings without allowing a run. 

However, the eighth inning got very dicey for UCLA. Maryland’s first two batters reached base, and the Terps eventually loaded the bases. But, UCLA managed to escape without a surrendering run, using four pitchers in the process. 

Meanwhile, Cristofer Cespedes was unbelievable for the Terps. Cespedes gave up just one run over four and ⅓ innings and struck out seven batters. This was his best performance of the year, and could earn him more high-leverage opportunities. 

“He’s got good stuff,” said Swope. “He’s been one of our guys and will continue to be so in those high-level situations.

Easton Hawk finished off the Terps, throwing 1 ⅓ scoreless innings.