After a month without midweeks, “The Bob” will finally get a chance to host one more before the 2024 campaign comes to a close. 

The last time Maryland (31-18, 10-11) played a midweek at home was April 3, against UMBC. On that brisk, drizzly evening the Terps raced out to a quick 7-0 lead, before collapsing in the middle inning and falling behind 12-8. 

But in vintage Cardiac Terp fashion, Maryland scored five runs in the final two innings to steal a 13-12 victory in a game that fully embodied “Midweek Madness.”

While the Terps ultimately prevailed, their struggles against an inferior Retrievers squad that night were a precursor to what would follow.  

Over the next three weekends, the Terps couldn’t muster a single series victory (all Big Ten series’) and also won just one of their three midweeks during that time. 

But after struggling across the board during that time, Maryland has seemed to flip the switch. Not only have the Terps won back-to-back series but they’ve also been victorious in six of their last eight, entering Wednesday night’s game with some much-needed momentum as they get set to take on USC Upstate for the first time in program history.   

USC Upstate Spartans (30-18, 14-7)

Last Season

The Spartans had a really strong 2023 season, which was ultimately spoiled by an ending that saw them fall just short of an NCAA Tournament berth.

In what was a fairly streaky season, USC Upstate finished the year at 38-22 overall, but the Spartans were even better in conference play. 

A superb 21-6 record in the Big South saw USC Upstate finish in second place during the regular season, one game behind a nationally ranked Campbell team. It was also the third year in a row that the Spartans had finished in second place behind the Fighting Camels.

Rather fittingly, USC Upstate made it to the Big South championship game last season, where they lost in heartbreaking fashion to … Campbell, of course. In that championship game, the Spartans actually held a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the eighth, but back-to-back solo home runs in the inning allowed Campbell to steal a 3-2 win, and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.   

This Season

Even after Campbell transferred out of the Big South to kick off the ‘23-’24 athletic campaign, the Spartans still don’t seem like they’re going to get over the hump.  

As of right now, USC Upstate is currently third in the Big South at 14-7. The Spartans are just one game back of second-place Presbyterian, but sit 2.5 games behind league-leaders High Point. The Spartans are also coming off of a series loss against High Point, who still has two conference series’ remaining, while USC Upstate has just one.  

Overall though, the Spartans currently hold a 30-18 record, making 2024 the program’s fourth consecutive 30-win season. 

Hitters to Watch 

This Spartans lineup is incredibly deep.

Of their nine qualifying hitters, five are hitting above .300, three have OPS above 1.000, and five have double-digit home runs on the season.

Topping all three of those categories though is redshirt junior Koby Kropf.

Kropf is either first or second on the team in practically every offensive category, and his 18 home runs on the season mark the program’s single-season record since the Spartans became a Division-1 program.

Jace Rinehart, Grant Sherrod, and Troy Hamilton are also guys to look out for given their daunting power numbers, but possibly the most unique hitter in the USC Upstate lineup is Noah Sullivan 

The redshirt sophomore is both the Spartans’ typical leadoff batter and Friday night starter. He’s also slashing (.342/.482/.684), with 16 home runs.

Pitchers to Watch

As most teams have done, Upstate has cycled through midweek starters throughout the season, so it’s a little unclear who will be taking the hill for the Spartans. 

Darin Kuskie, Jake Cubbler, and Braden Consaul have all been non-rotation starters this season but none of those three have been overly impressive. Kuskie has made the most starts, but his 7.99 ERA and 2.20 WHIP certainly aren’t great. Cubbler’s 52 K’s in 47 IP has definitely been a bright spot, but the redshirt junior’s ERA is nearly at 6. 

Two of the Upstate relievers who’ve seen the most usage out of the bullpen are Jagger Jefferis and Trent Hodgdon. Both Jefferis and Hodgdon have made 18 appearances (all from the pen) on the season, and each has effective strikeout stuff (36 and 39 K’s respectively). 

Jefferis currently holds a respectable 4.33 ERA, but Hodgdon has gotten hit hard at times this season, as his ERA is north of 8. 

Probable Starters

TBD on both sides

Meade Johnson, Ryan Van Buren, and Evan Smith have all made midweek starts for Maryland this season. It’s likely that one of those three will get the ball on Wednesday night.