Maryland starts their weekend in Minnesota with a 5-1 loss against a familiar opponent in No. 4 Ole Miss. This is the fourth time the Terps have faced the Rebels in the past eight days with Ole Miss winning three of the four. The Maryland offense struggled in this one as they were held to just 5 hits with their first hit not coming until the fourth inning.

Left fielder Bobby Zmarzlak flashed the leather in the first inning when he tracked down an Ethan Groff liner and made a diving catch. Both pitchers, Jason Savacool and Jack Dougherty were able to keep the game scoreless after one.

The Rebels would end up striking first with a Kemp Anderson solo home run to right field to start the second inning, making the score 1-0. Savacool was able to send down the next three batters to get out of the inning. Ole Miss threatened to score again in the third with two runners in scoring position and only one out. However, Savacool was able to pick up a strikeout and a groundout to keep the lead to one.

Jack Dougherty was able to send down the first seven Maryland batters but the cracks started to show in the bottom of the third. Dougherty walked two straight batters but would eventually get out of the inning. 

The Maryland defense had a sloppy start to the fourth. After a throwing error from Nick Lorusso and a wild pitch, Ole Miss had a runner on third with no outs. Once again, Savacool was able to get out of it, capping it off with a strikeout. Savacool showed his emotion and let out an empathic yell on his way to the dugout.

Nick Lorusso would make up for the throwing error with a leadoff hit in the bottom of the fourth. After two outs, Matt Woods was up to bat in a big spot. Woods was able to record his first hit as a Terp with an RBI single to center field, tying the game 1-1.

The Ole Miss offense heated up in the fifth with a two-run homer from Ethan Groff, his third of the season. Calvin Harris collected his first hit of the game with a single to left field. Savacool was able to get end the inning with the score sitting at 3-1. This would be the end of Savacool’s day, he allowed three runs on five hits and struck out two through five innings.

Tommy Kane came in for Savacool and kept the Rebel’s offense in check during a long relief appearance. Kane was able to toss three scoreless innings where he only allowed one hit. He remained in the game for the ninth but could not finish after allowing two more hits.

Maryland had their best scoring opportunity in the seventh. The Terps collected two singles and a hit-by-pitch to load the bases with only one out. Ole Miss made a pitching change, bringing in sophomore righty Mason Nichols. Nichols was able to get the Rebels out of the inning without allowing a run.

“I think the difference in the game was they got it done when it mattered and we didn’t, that was the bottom line,” said Head Coach Rob Vaughn.

The Rebels were able to add some insurance runs in the ninth with a two-RBI single from Ethan Groff. Maryland was unable to score again in the ninth and started their weekend with a loss.

This loss moves the team back below .500 as they fall to 4-5. Maryland will look to turn it around as they face another ranked opponent tomorrow No. 7 Vanderbilt.