Heading into the weekend against the highly talented pitching staff of the Cornhuskers (24-12, 7-4), the Terps knew scoring early and often would be the key. After a tough loss Friday night, the Maryland Terrapins (25-15, 6-8) bounced back in a big way, taking down the Cornhuskers 11-2.

The offense came out hot, and this time it never slowed down. Eddie Hacopian crushed the first pitch of the game over the left field wall, immediately putting his team up, 1-0. After seeing his 11-game hitting streak come to an end on Friday, Hacopian bounced back in a big way, going 3 for 5 with 2 RBI while also scoring two runs.

Hacopian said he knew heading into the game he was going to hit the first pitch.

“I was pissed off from last night,” he said. “I told them before the game, first pitch I’m going to hammer something.”

Maryland wasn’t satisfied with just one run this time, after a Chris Hacopian single, Sam Hojnar hit-by-pitch, and Kevin Keister walk, Jacob Orr stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. He delivered a massive hit for the Terps, smoking a single up the middle, scoring Hacopian and Hojnar, and giving the Terps a big 3-0 lead after just one inning.

On the other side of the ball, Omar Melendez made his first weekend start as a Terp after the starting rotation was shuffled around heading into the weekend. Melendez came into the day with a 5.19 ERA but looked like a completely different pitcher on Saturday. The southpaw went six innings, allowing just two runs on six hits while striking out six on 100 pitches.

The junior Alabama St. transfer said that it’s easy to pitch when the offense has his back and continues to score.

“It gives you more confidence,” Melendez said. “You feel relaxed when … the team is executing.”

In Friday’s loss, the Terps offense went quiet after scoring three runs in two innings, recording just two hits after the fourth inning. After getting out to the early lead Saturday, the offense never slowed down.

A wild pitch and sac fly from Chris Hacopian in the second extended the Terps lead to five. After recording just five outs Maryland forced Mason McConnaughey out of the game — his shortest outing of the season. 

The Cornhuskers finally got on the board in the fourth with another Ben Columbus solo home run, his second in as many days. 

The Terps put the game away for good in the sixth inning, scoring five runs on four hits. Orr led the inning off with his second single of the game and Elijah Lambros immediately stepped up and demolished a home run to dead center. 

After a Devin Russell walk and Chris Hacopian single, Hojnar came to the plate looking to join in on the hit party and that’s exactly what he did. Hojnar crushed a no-doubt three-run moonshot to right, giving the Terps a double-digit lead that they would not relinquish. 

Kenny Lippman finished out the game on the mound for the Terps, his second appearance since being removed from the starting rotation. The right-hander looked sharp in his scoreless outing, allowing just one hit while earning his second save as a Terp.

Another bright spot for the Terps was Russell, who came into the day with just three hits in his last ten games. The sophomore played a pivotal role in the Terps victory, going 3 for 3 with a walk in addition to scoring two runs.

For the Terps to win the rubber match and secure a big series win, the recipe is simple, head coach Matt Swope said.

“Punch them in the mouth again and play clean,” he said. “It’s as simple as that.”

Freshman Joey McMannis will take the mound tomorrow in the final game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.