Maryland (20-26, 6-15 Big Ten) heads north this weekend for a three-game series against Penn State. The Terps are looking to start off the month of May on a brighter note.

The Dirty Terps carry a three-game losing streak heading into their matchup with the Nittany Lions. Additionally, Maryland is still in search of its first Big Ten series win this year. With three conference sets left in the 2025 campaign, the Terps are running out of time to overcome their season-long hurdle.

Following a blowout loss in a rubber match against Nebraska last Sunday, the Terps headed to Georgetown for a midweek game against their DMV rival. But the Hoyas got to Maryland starter Brayden Ryan early. 

Georgetown scored seven runs across the first three innings. Missed opportunities at the plate compounded the rough start, ultimately extending Maryland’s losing streak to three.

With a disappointing April in the rear-view mirror, Maryland is looking to find some positive down the stretch of Big Ten play. Here’s what to expect from the Nittany Lions.

Penn State Nittany Lions (26-17, 12-12 Big Ten)

Last Season

Penn State finished in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten regular season, ending 29-24 with a 12-12 record in conference. That was good for eighth in the regular season standings, a position the Nittany Lions secured by sweeping Maryland in the final weekend series of the year.

And the Nittany Lions carried their momentum into the Big Ten tournament. As the lowest seed, Penn State defeated top-seeded Illinois in the first round. The Nittany Lions ran the table all the way to the tournament final, where they fell to Nebraska 2-1. 

Despite their improbable run to the Big Ten championship game, the lackluster regular season wasn’t enough for the Nittany Lions to be selected as an at-large team to the NCAA tournament.

This Season

The Nittany Lions once again find themselves in the middle of the standings in their 2025 campaign. They started their season at 11-2, due in large part to a nine-game winning streak against mostly non-conference opponents.

Since then, Penn State has fallen back down to earth. 

In their most recent Big Ten series, the Nittany Lions were swept for the first time this season by No. 15 UCLA in Southern California.

Hitters to Watch

Paxton Kling is Penn State’s most dangerous bat. In his first year with the team, the LSU transfer leads Nittany Lion starters in home runs, hits, and batting average. The junior outfielder has also started every single game for his new team.

The heart of Penn State’s order consists of redshirt sophomore Bryce Molinaro and junior Jesse Jaconski. The two boast nearly identical stats, with Molinaro slightly edging Jaconski for the team lead in RBIs, with 49, compared to Jaconski’s 46. The two are also tied for second on the team in home runs with 10 apiece.

Pitchers to Watch

St. Joseph’s transfer Ryan DeSanto has established himself as a go-to option for his new squad. The junior southpaw has only given up more than four runs in one outing this year and consistently delivers quality starts of five or more innings. The Nittany Lions are also 9-2 in games started by DeSanto. 

The Terps are likely to see senior Anthony Steele out of the Nittany Lions’ bullpen. The lefty has appeared in 19 games this season — the most among all Nittany Lion pitchers. He’s taken a massive jump in production this year as well, posting a 2.51 ERA that’s nearly 3.5 points lower than last year’s mark.

Probable Starters

Friday, May 2: LHP Kyle McCoy vs LHP Ryan DeSanto

Saturday, May 3: RHP Joey McMannis vs RHP Mason Horwat

Sunday, May 4: LHP Omar Melendez vs RHP Logan Olson