After a downpour in College Park on Friday and a tough late-game loss on Saturday, Maryland started a crucial doubleheader Sunday with a dominant showing to get back on track. 

Using a six-run sixth inning, the Terps dominated No. 15 Oregon, 12-2, ending the game in the seventh inning due to the mercy run rule. 

It was a quiet first two innings for each side, neither of whom could get anything across despite both teams getting runners in scoring position. 

The Ducks (23-10, 11-6 Big Ten) broke the silence in the third inning, getting the first two runs of the game – which would end up being their only two of the day.

The Terps (16-20, 4-10 Big Ten) responded with two of their own immediately after, mostly thanks to their patience at the plate, as they drew three walks in the frame. The Terps later finished the day with ten walks. 

Perhaps the most interesting part of the first game was Oregon’s reluctance to pitch to catcher Alex Calarco – the Ducks intentionally walked the senior in his first two at-bats; both occasions loaded the bases.

In his third at-bat, the Ducks finally let Calarco hit with runners on the corners – a decision they’d soon regret. The Maryland catcher quickly singled down the right field line, bringing home Chris Hacopian and extending the Terps’ lead to two.

In the sixth, the Terps opened the floodgates. They began by drawing four walks within the first five at-bats, pushing their lead to three.

Despite a pitching change, the offense kept rolling. Calarco once again sent a ball down the line — this time the left field — but it collided with the third base umpire. Even though Eddie Hacopian scored, head coach Matt Swope was visibly livid, knowing the bases could have potentially been cleared. 

Much to Swope’s pleasure though, Jacob Orr delivered in the next at-bat, doubling into left field. Orr’s knock brought Brayden Martin, the younger Hacopian, and Calarco all across on a bases-clearing double. At that point, Maryland led 9-2. 

After getting one more across in the sixth, the Terps needed just two runs in the seventh to end the game early. They did just that.

Martin singled to left-centerfield with the bases loaded, scoring Liam Willson and Elijah Lambros and ending the game early. 

A big reason for the Terps’ dominant showing was the pitching staff. The Terps only had to use two pitchers in the early game – Andrew Johnson and Logan Hastings. 

Johnson had a solid display, allowing the two earned runs over 3.1 innings pitched, where he gave up three hits, three walks, and struck out three. The main reason for his early exit was his pitch count. Johnson, typically a reliever, was at 65 pitches when he departed.

Hastings had one of the best performances of his young career.

The freshman didn’t allow any earned runs over 3.2 innings pitched, only conceding two hits and a walk. Although he struggled with command at times (hitting three batters), Hastings continued to work his way out of jams, including multiple bases-loaded situations.