Maryland had a three-run lead heading into the sixth inning against the University of Louisiana that was quickly lost with back to back RBIs, making it a one-run game.

Sophomore Paul Jones II came in as a pinch hitter in the seventh and restored the Dirty Terp’s lead with an RBI double but in the bottom of the ninth, Maryland went through three pitchers and none could stop the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Maryland (3-2) fell 7-8 to Louisiana (3-2) in game one of the three-game series on Friday night at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field at Russo Park.

Only three batters faced Lance Williams in each of the first three innings. The sophomore recorded four strikeouts and caught Maddox Mandino stealing while Maryland’s defense handled the rest.

The Dirty Terps found themselves in a scoring position with bases loaded as Rylan Stockton walked up to the plate in the top of the first. A double to left field by Brayden Martin, a single from Ty Kaunas and Ryan Costello being hit by a pitch put two runners in scoring position. Hopes were high for Maryland but Stockton struck out swinging– ending the inning.

The third inning began with Martin and Kaunas finding their way onto base again after a single and a walk. Jordan Crosland struckout but with one out and two runners on base, Costello made his way to the plate. The redshirt freshman drove the ball over the right field wall to score the first three runs of the game, and record his third home run of the season, in the fifth start of his career. 

The Dirty Terps extended their lead in the top of the fourth. With two outs, on the 2-1 pitch, junior David Mendez blasted a powerful drive over the right field wall. This was the second baseman’s first home run in two years and first as a Terp.

Williams recorded his fifth strikeout– all looking– in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Louisiana’s Blaze Rodriguez and Steven Spalitta found their way onto the bases, each with a hit. Colt Brown popped out to Mendez, who was patiently waiting to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth however, Louisiana had runners in scoring position with Lee Amedee on third and Rigoberto Hernandez on second after a drive to right field from Hernandez. Drew Markle was walked to load the as Josh Lim pinch hit for Noah Lewis with only one out. 

Lim grounded to second and was nabbed at first as runners advanced, allowing the Ragin’ Cajun’s to score as Amedee made his way home. 

The Dirty Terps brought out sophomore Cristofer Cespedes to relieve Williams. The inning ended with Antonio Morales snagging a fly ball in center.

Williams ended the game with 57 pitches, five looking strikeouts, one run and five hits.

The top of the sixth was a quick inning for Maryland with Hayden Pearson taking the mound, causing a groundout by Stockton, a foul out by Aden Hill and a strikeout by Jackson Sirois. But it wasn’t a quick inning for the Ragin’ Cajuns.

With one out, Spalitta singled up the middle and jump-started the inning. He advanced to second on a wild pitch while Brown was up to bat. Brown drove in an RBI single to left field, bringing Spalitta home to continue cutting into the Terps’ lead. Griffin Herbert cashed in another RBI bringing Brown home making it a one-run game. 

Cespedes ended the inning after a mound visit which helped Maryland’s defense record its next two outs. 

The Dirty Terps found their footing in the top of the seventh. Morales walked on full count and Mendez singled up the middle to start the inning. On a wild pitch they each advanced. 

With two outs, Jones II pinch hit for Crosland. On the first pitch, the sophomore knocked in a double to center field, bringing home Mendez and Morales to give Maryland a 6-3 lead. A lead the Terps held going into the bottom of the ninth.

That half inning began with Cespedes walking Hebert and Amedee then Hernandez singling down the left field line, causing the bases to be loaded. Trip Dobson pushed one down the middle, advancing the runners and bringing home Herbert.

Maryland brought in Jayson Torres to replace Cespedes. Pinch hitter Owen Galt was hit by a pitch giving the Ragin’ Cajun’s a second run. Mandino walked, advancing all runners and bringing home Hernandez to tie up the game. 

The Dirty Terps then replaced Torres with Ryan Bailey who walked Rodriguez, advancing the runners once again and giving Louisiana a walk-off walk.