Maryland baseball had one of its best seasons ever as a program in 2022, including setting the single-season program wins record and shattering the home run record as well with 137.
Nearing the end of their season, Maryland was still a couple of games back of Rutgers for the lead spot in the Big Ten. The Terps were already having a fantastic season and achieved their 37th win of the season in the first game of the series, a new regular season record.
Rutgers was ranked 21st in the country at the time and looking near dominant as they stood alone atop the Big Ten. New Jersey was set to be the home for their three-game series, with Maryland knowing they needed at least two of three for a chance to win the conference.
In a boat race, the Terps won the first game of the doubleheader, 16-8. After scoring five runs in the first two innings, Maryland never turned their backs and continued to add on runs, batting through the lineup six times. This was also Ryan Ramsey’s first start since his perfect game where he went six innings giving up only four hits and improving his record to 9-0.
The Scarlet Knights took the loss personally and clobbered the Terps in the second game of the series, hitting seven home runs. This loss put Maryland 2.5 games back from the conference lead and applied even more pressure to a team knowing they needed a win. Luckily, the Terps would have junior stud Nick Dean on the mound for the rubber match the following day.
Dean came out of the gates hot and continued to roll through Rutgers batters, ending the day with nine strikeouts on six innings pitched while giving up just two runs. Maryland had control over Rutgers the entire game, taking a 2-1 lead in the top of the third and never giving the Scarlet Knights a second chance.
Maryland played the windy environment well, hitting four solo bombs and a fifth home run that came in the ninth by outfielder Chris Alleyne. His three-run shot put the Scarlet Knights away and allowed the Terps to win 9-4.
The crucial road series wins put the Terps just 2.5 games from the 1st place spot in the Big Ten. Their remaining schedule saw Michigan, James Madison, and Purdue, all of whom they beat, ending the season on an eight-game win streak. Maryland finished their year at the top of the Big Ten, beating out Rutgers by one conference win. Had they taken two of the series games, the Terps may have found themselves in a much tougher situation heading into the Big Ten Tournament.
Maryland Baseball Network 