Maryland returns home after a week long road trip to take on William & Mary in a midweek matchup on Tuesday. The Terps, who are coming off a series win at Illinois, seek revenge on the Tribe after dropping a game in Virginia last week.

Heading into last week’s game against William and Mary, Maryland was a perfect 5-0 in midweek games on the year, but the Tribe handed the Terps their first loss with a dominating score of 8-1.

A total of seven pitchers threw for Maryland, after starter Tuck Tucker went four innings. Sean Fisher was the most successful out of the many relievers, who tossed 1.2 innings with two strikeouts and conceding only one hit.

In their latest series, the Terps traveled to Illinois to take on the Fighting Illini in a Big Ten weekend series. After dropping its last three weekend series including two sweeps to East Carolina and Creighton, Maryland was desperate for a different result.

In the first game, the Terps rallied for four late runs in the ninth to earn the series opener. With a few singles, bunts and wild pitches, Maryland took advantage to take the lead and not give it back.

The Terps dropped the second game of the series, losing to Illinois 5-1. It seemed as if the Terps were making yet another comeback after getting two runners on in the ninth, but they failed to bring anyone home to even the score. Maryland took the series with a 8-4 win over Illinois in the third game. Randy Bednar blasted a three-run homer to left, his team-leading fifth of the season.

William & Mary Tribe (20-9, 4-4 CAA)

Last Season

The Tribe had the fewest wins in the program’s last 20 years with a grand total of 15, three of which came on the road. Their postseason hopes were eliminated with a 16-game losing streak to end the year. The Terps, however, dropped both games against William & Mary in the 15-win season.

This Season

As opposed to a disappointing 2018 campaign, William & Mary has started this year hot, posting 20 wins in the first two months of play. In the first 12 games of the spring, the Tribe only dropped one game and picked up big wins in non-conference play. With an even 4-4 record in CAA conference, William & Mary sits in fourth place, two games out of first.  

Hitters to Watch

Three hitters in the Tribe’s lineup are hitting above the .300 mark this season. Senior infielder Zach Pearson leads the team with a .327 average, complimented by 23 runs driven in. He is followed by senior catcher Hunter Smith, who with an average of .321 has hit eight home runs and 29 RBIs in as many games played. Freshman Hunter Hart is hitting .300 with 15 RBIs of his own.  

Relievers to Watch

Sophomore Randall Prosperi is the Tribe’s best arm out of the bullpen. In 17.1 innings of work, the righty has a 2.08 ERA with 19 strikeouts, while also picking up three wins in his tenure. The other effective reliever for William & Mary has been redshirt-junior Chris Farrell. In 15.1 innings, the righty has fanned 25 batters while only letting up 10 hits.