It was a record-setting weekend for Maryland Baseball (3-3) in Cullowhee, North Carolina. In game two of the series against the Western Carolina Catamounts, the Dirty Terps set a new program record for runs scored (35) and hits (27) in a single game, while sophomore Chris Hacopian scored six times himself, which also tied the Big Ten record. 

However, it was an overall disappointing result. The Terps lost the series to the underdog Catamounts, 2-1, which included a heartbreaking 11-9 loss in 10 innings in game three, despite a go-ahead grand slam by the aforementioned Hacopian in the top of the ninth. 

The Terps will look to put the frustrating series behind them, as a rebound opportunity lies ahead on Tuesday against the Delaware Blue Hens (1-5) back home in “The Bob”. 

The game, which originally had been scheduled for last Tuesday, will be the Terps’ 2025 home opener. It will be the 45th all-time meeting between the bordering schools, with the Terps leading the series 28-15-1, including wins in the last five matches. 

Here’s what to know about the Blue Hens. 

Delaware Blue Hens (1-5)

Last Season

Delaware finished the 2024 season with a 31-26 overall record and a 16-11 conference record — good enough to finish fourth in the Coastal Athletic Association regular season. In the CAA tournament, the Blue Hens defeated William & Mary in the first round, 7-3, before losing to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington 10-6 in the second round. With a chance to save their season and continue, the Blue Hens did so by defeating William & Mary again, 18-8, their highest run total in a CAA tournament game in program history. However, their season would end in the following round with an 11-1 loss to Charleston. 

Surprisingly, the Blue Hens struggled at home compared to on the road, finishing 11-15 to 17-9, respectively. 

This Season

It’s been a rough start to the 2025 campaign for the Blue Hens, currently sitting with a 1-5 record, last amongst CAA teams. To their credit, though, they have yet to play at home. 

They opened the season by getting swept by Florida Atlantic, which included a 19-1 loss in game two before a 7-0 shutout in the series finale.

Deleware lost its second series against FIU, 2-1, but is entering Tuesday’s game off a dramatic win in the final game, 7-6. The Blue Hens entered the ninth inning down by one but were able to force extra innings. In the 12th inning, they took the lead off a bases-loaded walk and would not surrender it. 

Hitters to Watch

The Blue Hens are led by senior outfielder Aaron Graeber. Graeber boasts an impressive .320 batting average and a 1.073 OPS. He leads the team in hits with eight, three of which have been for home runs, also a team-leading number. He’s added four runs scored, five RBIs, and three walks drawn.

Another name to watch is freshman infielder Rory Finn. Finn leads the team in batting average, .333, and sports a .986 OPS. He’s not far behind Graeber in hits with seven, and has also added five RBIs. He shares a three-way tie for leader in walks drawn with five. 

Nobody else in Delaware’s starting lineup has eclipsed above a .235 batting average, with three starters currently batting below .200. Strikeouts have also been a major issue for the whole team. Despite their impressive overall numbers, both Graeber and Finn have struggled with strikeouts, combining for 22. As a whole, the Blue Hens have amassed 74 total strikeouts through the first six games. 

Pitchers to Watch

On the mound, it hasn’t been pretty either. Only three pitchers have started for the Blue Hens thus far: redshirt freshman Ryan McLaughlin (0-2), senior Doug Marose (two no-decisions), and senior Ethan Shaub (0-1). Both Marose (10.12) and Shaub (10.13) have ERAs over 10, with McLaughlin not far behind with a 9.0. 

The three combined have surrendered 14 hits and 14 earned runs across a total of 13 innings pitched. Their combined batting average allowed is .288 and they’ve accumulated 12 walks to eight strikeouts. 

However, the Blue Hens have gotten production out of their bullpen, with three pitchers (redshirt freshmen Matthew Minckler and Dylan Bryan, and freshman Jake Pollaro) all sporting a 0.00 ERA across three and one-third innings pitched. 

Probable Starting Pitchers

For the Terps, it’ll be freshman Jake Yeager toeing the rubber. Before the season, head coach Matt Swope announced that Yeager would be the midweek starter. It will be the freshman’s first apperance this season. 

For the Blue Hens, it will once again be the formerly mentioned McLaughlin.