UPDATE: Wednesday’s Ripken Cup against Towson University has been cancelled. No make up date will be scheduled. 

By Ben Harris

Returning to Maryland after a series against Penn State, the Terps are on a roll, however, they won’t be playing Wednesday’s matchup with Towson in College Park. The Terps and Tigers will each take a quick bus ride up I-95 to Aberdeen, Maryland, to square off in the Ripken Cup. For the third year running, the game will be played on Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium, home of the single-A Baltimore Orioles affiliate.

Wednesday’s game will kick off the Terps’ final month of play leading up to a potential third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Check out the final month breakdown in full posted earlier today.

The Tigers have won three of their last four, but, while they are a perfect 2-0 on neutral sites, their 6-21 record outside of Towson has dropped them to 17-28 on the year.

For the second straight season, Brady Policelli is the only Tiger to start every game. Leading the team with a .367 average, the junior has reached base safely in 41 of 45 games this season. His seven home runs, .486 on-base percentage and .602 slugging percentage are all best on the club.

Policelli’s staple table setter is freshman leadoff hitter Richie Palacios. In his first year sporting the Tigers’ black and gold, he’s missed just one game and leads the team in runs (43) and hits (63).

Maryland’s very own freshman slugger, Marty Costes, was awarded the Big Ten Freshman of the Week award. Costes’ .375/.450/.562 slash line powered the Terps to a 3-1 week and earned him the second such honor of his young career.

In total, seven Big Ten weekly honors (four Freshman of the Week awards, two Pitcher of the Week honors and one Player of the Week title) have been awarded to Terps this season, a school record.

STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP

WED 7:00 pm EST

    .vs  

Fr. RHP Hunter Parsons (2-0, 3.74 ERA) vs. Sr. RHP Lee Lawler (2-3, 7.12 ERA)

In a season that began with midweek arms at a premium for head coach John Szefc, Hunter Parsons has settled in as a reliable option. After serving mainly out of the bullpen, Parsons’ three starts have netted him a 2.03 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP. Parsons is one of three Terps to take home Freshman of the Week honors this year. As a starter, he’s surrendered just four runs in 17.2 innings with 13 strikeouts and 2 walks. The Terps will face veteran right-hander Lee Lawler. While the senior has made just 19 starts, he’s appeared in 57 games for Towson over four years. He transitioned back to the bullpen this season, and will be making just his second start in 15 appearances this year on Wednesday.