Maryland will kick off its 2026 season on the road with a weekend series against UNC-Wilmington. Head coach Matt Swope is looking to recover from a disappointing 2025 season where the Terps posted a losing record, 27-29, for the first time since 2018 and missed the Big Ten tournament.

Combatting the struggles, Maryland turned over its roster this summer. Swope brought in a top-25 freshman class of 10 players, including the No. 1 recruit from Maryland, Bud Coombs. The Terps added six more players via the transfer portal. 

Maryland lost two of its best hitters from 2025 in siblings Eddie and Chris Hacopian, but Brayden Martin returns as a threat in the box. He averaged .319 at the plate last season and is expected to lead off in this year’s lineup.

The Dirty Terps took a 10-6 win when they last faced the Seahawks in 2017, but UNC-Wilmington owns the series historically with 10 wins to Maryland’s five. 

Here’s what to know about the current Seahawks team.

UNC-Wilmington Seahawks (34-24, 19-8 CAA in 2025)

Last season

UNC-Wilmington went 34-24 overall, including 19-8 in conference play and a strong appearance in the CAA tournament. The Seahawks finished second in the conference, just behind the ranked Northeastern Huskies. 

The group stood out in pitching and defense in 2025, with its team-wide 3.93 ERA ranked second-lowest in the conference. 

This season

The Seahawks’season will begin with this series the Dirty Terps. 

Despite the stellar 2025, UNC-Wilmington is facing a rebuild after losing four of its five top pitchers and both catchers. The Seahawks brought in 11 freshman to try and supplement the loss of talent, but The Diamond Report still projects the Seahawks to finish fifth in the CAA. 

Hitters to watch

Kevin Jones is the Seahawks’ best returner in batting average. The senior hit just below .300 in 2025 and crossed home plate a team-high 54 times last season.

JP Pennella, a transfer from Southeastern, will also bring a new look to the UNC-Wilmington lineup. He hit .418 with a team-high 97 hits in his redshirt freshman season, helping to lead the Fire to a 47-15 record. 

Pitchers to watch

Connor Marshburn is the only returning starter on the Seahawks roster. The right-hander kicked off his 2025 season by allowing zero runs across six innings in a win against the ranked Georgia Bulldogs. He didn’t slow down from there.

Marshburn posted a 3.51 ERA in his sophomore campaign. Now a junior, he’s ready to lead a fresh Seahawks squad. 

Probable starters

Friday: Lance Williams v. TBD

Saturday: Nic Morlang v. TBD

Sunday: Jake Yeager v. TBD