COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Following a 1-2 weekend at Western Carolina, Maryland baseball returned home for the first time this season. The Delaware Blue Hens (2-5) spoiled the Terps home opener defeating Maryland (3-4), 13-10, at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium Tuesday night.
The Terps entered the matchup with a 28-15-1 all-time record against the Blue Hens. The Terps were looking to bounce back after a historic offensive performance over the weekend — during which they set program records for runs scored, 35, and hits, 27, in a single game — resulted in a singular victory.
Maryland freshman pitcher Jake Yeager made his first career start, but ran into early trouble. Delaware’s Andrew Graeber homered to left center in the top of the first, giving the Blue Hens a quick 1-0 lead. Yeager settled down after that, recording two strikeouts in the following inning.
“I mean, it’s his first outing, you know, so you just take it for what it is,” said Maryland head coach Matt Swope. “I thought he bounced back after the home runs.”
In the second, Delaware’s LT Cockrill homered to right center for two more runs, extending the lead to 3-0. Maryland answered back in the bottom half with a three-run frame, highlighted by designated hitter Alex Calarco’s solo home run — his sixth of the season. Infielder Brayden Martin tied the game with a two-RBI single through the left side following the blast.
Yeager continued to find his rhythm, striking out two batters in a clean third inning. However, Delaware capitalized on a Maryland error in the fourth, as outfielder Jackson Tyer doubled to left field, driving in an unearned run and giving Delaware a 4-3 lead.
Delaware broke the game open in the sixth.
Left fielder Andrew Amato launched a three-run home run to right field, capping off a four-run inning that pushed the Blue Hens’ lead to 11-3. Maryland’s offense struggled to respond, earning their first run since the second inning as Eijah Lambros touched home on an Eddie Hacopian RBI double in the seventh.
The eighth inning featured a comeback attempt reminiscent of the “Cardiac Terps” of a season ago.
Trailing 11-4, the Terps mounted a late rally. VCU transfer, Aden Hill, started the inning with a two run homer way over the fence in right field. With the bases loaded later in the inning, Infielder Eddie Hacopian laid down a drag bunt, surprising the defense and adding a run to Maryland’s tally. Chris Hacopian doubled to left center, clearing the bases and cutting the deficit to 11-10. The Blue Hens escaped the jam by getting Hollis Porter to ground out, clinging to their small advantage.
Delaware tacked on two more insurance runs in the ninth. Maryland had one last chance in the bottom of the inning, but failed to put together a comeback, stranding a runner on base to end the game.
“Can’t have 11 freebies, regardless of the situation,” said Swope. “Can’t have 11 treatments, so gotta play complimentary.”
Despite the loss, Martin finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Calarco added another home run to his season total. Yeager took the loss in his collegiate debut, allowing four earned runs over four innings while striking out four.
Maryland will look to regroup as it travels to Winston Salem, North Carolina, to play against Princeton and No. 12 Wake Forest this weekend.
