Just when the season seemed like it was going to fully slip away, the Terps hung on and swung morale back in their favor. After losing on Friday and Saturday last weekend at Northwestern, Maryland was able to salvage the series on Sunday thanks to Elijah Lambros’ game-saving heroics. 

The Terps were able to keep the momentum going in their midweek contest vs Delaware, taking down the Blue Hens 11-10 in yet another one-run game. Eddie Hacopian stayed red hot at the plate, slugging his third home run in the last two games. Both games this season between the Terps and Blue Hens have come down to the wire, with Maryland sneaking away with a 3-2 victory in the first matchup back on March 5.

After a 20-6 start to the season, the last three weeks have certainly been disappointing for Maryland. However, the Terps have a prime chance to get back on track this weekend as they head to Lincoln to take on the nationally ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers. 

One thing to keep an eye out for this weekend is a major switch to the Maryland starting rotation. Kenny Lippman, the Terps’ typical Friday night starter, threw 2.0 innings in relief on Tuesday vs Delaware and will no longer be in the starting rotation going forward, according to Head Coach Matt Swope. Instead, Logan Koester will move to the Friday night role, while Omar Melendez is expected to slot into the Saturday spot, keeping Joey McMannis in the Sunday role.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (23-11, 6-3 Big Ten)

Last Season

The Cornhuskers went 33-23-1, finishing in fourth place in the Big Ten and making a run to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. Maryland took two out of three from Nebraska in the regular season series, including an incredible 8 RBI performance from Nick Lorusso in the Terps 20-5 victory in the series finale. The two teams met twice more in the Big Ten Tournament, with the Terps taking both games, including Lorusso’s walk-off home run in extra innings.

It was the offense that led the charge for the Cornhuskers in 2023, as juniors Max Anderson and Brice Matthews both earned All-Big Ten first team nominations. Anderson, who set the program record for hits in a season with 101, hit .414 while hitting 21 home runs and driving in 70. Matthews hit .359, chipped in 20 long balls of his own and led the team with 47 walks. Both players were selected in the 2023 MLB draft with Anderson going in the second round to the Tigers and Matthews going in the first round to the Astros.

This Season

The Cornhuskers have built on their impressive 2023 campaign and become one of the top teams in the Big Ten this season. They currently sit at 16 in RPI and received votes in both the D1 Baseball and USA Today top 25 polls. Although they head into this weekend 1-5 in their last six games, the Cornhuskers are still primed to make an NCAA regional for the time since 2021.

Hitters to Watch

After losing their two best players from 2023 to the MLB draft, the Cornhuskers’ offense has taken a slight step back this season. Compared to last year, Nebraska’s offense is scoring fewer hits and runs per game. The power numbers are also down this year, as Josh Caron currently leads the team with just six home runs. Caron and Cole Evans have been two of only a few players to have improved their numbers from 2023. Caron is currently hitting .310 and leads the team in both hits (35) and RBI (35). After hitting .305 last year, Evans has continued his success, heading into the weekend with a slash line of .299/.415/.454.

Pitchers to Watch

While the offense carried the load in 2023, it has been the pitching staff that has done the heavy lifting this season. After finishing with a mediocre 5.29 ERA last year, Brett Sears has turned into one of the best pitchers in the country in 2024. Through nine starts, the senior right hander boasts a 6-0 record and a Big Ten best 1.32 ERA and .60 WHIP. In 61.1 innings, he has allowed just nine earned runs while holding a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 6:1.

The bullpen has been just as effective for the Cornhuskers, with Casey Daiss owning an impressive 1.74 ERA in 10 relief appearances. He has a WHIP of 1.09 and has already recorded four saves this season.

Probable Starters

Friday, April 19: Logan Koester vs. Brett Sears

Saturday, April 20: TBD vs. Mason McConnaughey

Sunday, April 21: Joey McMannis vs. TBD