Entering the weekend, Maryland baseball’s Big Ten Tournament hopes were slim, but not dead. Its series against Rutgers gave them a chance to make up huge ground on a fellow bubble team. 

But, the Terps were not able to capitalize, committing three errors and putting up a poor performance at the plate en route to their 5-3 loss against Rutgers. 

Cristofer Cespedes took the mound for the Terps. Just a week ago, Cespedes shone in a last-minute start, going six strong innings against a tough Michigan lineup. But on Friday, Cespedes did not get off to the start he had hoped for — his defense didn’t help either. 

Brayden Martin botched a throw for the third out of the first inning, and the Scarlet Knights responded with consecutive home runs, jumping out to an early three-run lead. 

The Terps’ bats had a response. Devin Russell and Jordan Crosland each doubled before Russell was driven in on a sacrifice fly knocked by Martin, putting the Terps on the board.

Crosland had a solid day at the plate. He went 3-for-4 with a double, continuing his stellar season. His batting average now sits at .300, to go along with his 11 home runs and 34 RBIs. 

Otherwise, Maryland’s offense was held quiet by Rutgers starter Zack Konstantinovsky. He threw 6 ⅔ innings and allowed minimal traffic on the basepaths, giving up just two runs. He struck out nine batters and was dominant from start to finish. 

Cespedes settled in after his rough first inning. He ended up going seven strong innings. He gave up five runs, but only one was earned. He recorded seven strikeouts and threw 107 pitches, providing the workhorse outing the Terps desperately needed. 

It looked much like the Cespedes that the Terps have seen lately. Over his last five outings before Friday, he had given up just one earned run. 

Overall, Cespedes and Brayden Ryan, who came in and threw a scoreless eighth inning, gave the Terps a chance to compete. 

However, the bats struggled for the majority of the game.

Overall, the Terps went 2-for-12 with runners on base and just 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position.

The Terps finally got back on the board late by way of Bud Coombs. He knocked a solo shot to tighten up the score and keep the Terps within striking distance. Then in the ninth, he hit an RBI double to make it a two-run game. 
But Aden Hill and Russell went down in order, leaving Coombs stranded on base. The Terps failed to put together a final rally, as they continue to watch their postseason hopes slip away.