An up and down weekend for the Terps resulted in a series loss against the Nebraska Cornhuskers after getting pounded last Sunday, 14-3. The Terps evened the series at 1-1 and entered the final game with a chance to get back to .500 on the season. 

In game one, Senior outfielder Chris Alleyne led the Terps with three hits, but collectively, the team left nine runners on base which led to the 6-2 loss against the Cornhuskers. 

Maryland’s lone win in the series came Saturday, when six different players recorded two hits and the offensive force of Benjamin Cowles had three RBI in the 10-7 victory. 

Following an abundance of hits on Saturday, the Terps couldn’t get anything going in the series finale. The Cornhuskers totaled 16 strikeouts and Junior pitcher Shay Schanaman accounted for 11. 

Earlier in the season, Maryland and Ohio State split a two game slate in Columbus “pod play.” The two teams will be familiar with the opposing teams’ roster, but especially a few starting pitchers that will be taking the mound.

Freshman pitcher Jason Savacool and Sophomore Nick Dean both faced the Buckeyes earlier in the year and are both taking the mound this weekend. As for the Buckeyes, junior Jack Neely is the only starting pitcher for Ohio State that is making a second appearance. 

Ohio State Buckeyes (13-9)

Last Season:

The Buckeyes finished last season with a 6-8 record before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ohio State This Season:

While Ohio State is ranked fourth in the Big Ten, the Buckeyes are dead last in the conference for batting average, runs scored and in the bottom three for hits. However, it’s the pitching that’s allowed Ohio State to thrive thus far.

Ohio State has a 4.42 earned run average this season, ranked sixth in the Big Ten, compared to Maryland’s 5.81 ERA.

Buckeyes hitters to watch for:

Freshman Kern Kade is ranked 23rd in the Big Ten with a .333 batting average. Sophomore Okuley Mitchell is another name to watch. Mitchell has five home runs this season. 

Pitchers to watch for:

Maryland will be facing a very stellar pitching staff this weekend. Neely and Junior Garrett Burhenn are both top-20 pitchers in the Big Ten when it comes to ERA and strikeouts. Junior Seth Lonsway, who’s taking the mound on Saturday, has accumulated 54 strikeouts this season which ranks second in the conference. 

Starting Pitching Matchups:

Friday: RHP Sean Burke (1-2, 5.06 ERA) vs. RHP Garrett Burhenn (2-1, 4.15 ERA)

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Burke went 5.2 innings with six strikeouts and four earned runs in his contest against Nebraska. Maryland fell 6-2 against the Cornhuskers. 

Burhenn did just enough last week to secure the win over Michigan. While he surrendered four earned runs and gave up 10 hits, the Buckeyes’ offense helped out leading to the 7-4 victory. 

Saturday: RHP Nick Dean (0-0, 5.84 ERA) vs. LHP Seth Lonsway (1-4, 4.45 ERA)

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Dean had a quality start in his matchup against Nebraska with 4 earned runs through 4.1 innings. His effort helped the Terps get back in the win column with a 10-7 win. 

Lonsway had a similar game his last time out with four earned runs through 4.2 innings pitched. Even with a 10 strikeout effort, the Buckeyes were pummeled 7-0 against Michigan. 

Sunday: RHP Jason Savacool (4-1, 5.01 ERA) vs. RHP Jack Neely (1-1, 4.01 ERA)

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Last outing against the Cornhuskers, Savacool only lasted 1.2 innings after giving up seven hits and five earned runs in a 14-3 loss to Nebraska. 

Neely had a tough matchup against the Michigan Wolverines last week, and only got through 2.1 innings with two earned runs before being pulled in the loss.