Entering their third weekend of conference play this season after facing Penn State at home and Minnesota on the road, Maryland takes on the Ohio State Buckeyes for a three-game set in College Park.

The Terps took two of three in both Big Ten weekends so far. They also defeated James Madison on Tuesday, fueling a strong stretch of five wins in their last six games.

Throughout their last six games, Maryland bats have driven in 42 runs, including an 11-run onslaught last Friday against the Golden Gophers. The Terps scored eight times against James Madison on the road earlier this week, as well.

With the team returning home for the first time since April 5, the Terps look to continue their success against conference opponents.

Ohio State Buckeyes (11-18)

Last Season:

The Buckeyes finished last season with a winning record at 22-20, but ended up toward the middle of the Big Ten standings in a season that featured all conference games. They were very streaky throughout the course of the year and Maryland won four of five games against them. The two split a two-game set in Columbus last March and then the Terps swept the Buckeyes in a weekend series at home the following month.

This Season:

Ohio State got off to a strong start by defeating Marshall and Indiana State twice, the latter of whom Maryland demolished at the LeClair Classic earlier this season but then lost seven consecutive affairs to a plethora of teams. They have not been able to find their rhythm since then, as they have not won more than two games in a row since the opening weekend.

Hitters to Watch:

Ohio State has had a few hitters raking at the plate this year, including Marcus Ernst and Trey Lipsey. Ernst has a slash line of .380/.486/.472. The senior infielder is a machine for singles and has started every game so far this year. Lipsey proposes more of a power threat, slugging .517 on the season with four home runs. Buckeye bats have been relatively impressive and scoring runs has not been any issue for them by any means.

Pitchers to Watch:

Ethan Hammerberg has been a strong bullpen arm for the Buckeyes, sporting a 2.45 ERA in 14 appearances. The 6’5 right-hander has put up zeros most of the days he has come into the game, but has had implosions against Cincinnati, Nebraska, and Michigan State. Jake Johnson is also a reliever to keep an eye on. Hammerberg has been slightly better and Johnson has also had a few major slip-ups this season, but both pitchers provide the Buckeyes with support in the late innings.

Probable Starting Pitcher Matchups

Friday, 6:30 p.m. ET

Jr. RHP Nick Dean (3-1, 3.63 ERA) vs. So. LHP Isaiah Coupet (2-3, 4.58 ERA) 

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Nick Dean cashed in six strong innings against Minnesota last weekend, earning his third win of the season. He gave up three runs including a home run, but recorded six strikeouts. Dean had very similar numbers the weekend before against Penn State and has been rock solid this year for the Terps.

Isaiah Coupet has not been very consistent this season to say the least. The sophomore dominated against Marshall, UNCW, and Nebraska, but has severely struggled against Texas State, Campbell, West Virginia, and Purdue. His last start came on April 1 against Nebraska where he fired seven innings of one-run ball.

Saturday, 2:00 p.m. ET

Jr. LHP Ryan Ramsey (7-0, 2.28 ERA) vs. So. RHP Nate Haberthier (0-3, 6.29 ERA)

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Ryan Ramsey earned another win last weekend at Minnesota and lowered his ERA on the season, making his 2022 campaign even more impressive. The southpaw has only given up five runs over his last five starts and has pitched 32 innings over that span. It is safe to say Ramsey has really found his groove this year and leads Maryland pitchers in the win department.

Nate Haberthier is coming off a start where he gave up three runs to Michigan State in an offensive explosion for his Buckeyes The sophomore has not been able to make it deep into games, as the furthest he has gone came against West Virginia in early March (5 2/3 innings pitched).

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET

So. RHP Jason Savacool (5-2, 2.68 ERA) vs. Jr. RHP Wyatt Loncar (1-3, 5.40 ERA)

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Jason Savacool pitched seven innings against Minnesota last weekend and continues the trend of pitching deep into games. The sophomore right-hander has pitched either seven or eight innings in all but one games started so far this season. He recorded seven strikeouts against the Golden Gophers and gave up three runs.

Wyatt Loncar put up an effective performance last weekend against Michigan State, hurling five innings and giving up only one run in the process. That was one of his best games of the season though, having struggles in numerous games earlier in the season. The 6″6 junior has been inconsistent in both innings pitched and runs allowed.