Despite some fierce offensive showings throughout the series against the Troy Trojans, the Terps found themselves down 4-3 in the ninth inning of the rubber match. The Terps needed to convert in this crucial moment.

As he has done throughout the season thus far, Ryan Costello came through. The freshman outfielder blasted a two-run homer, his second of the game, to give the Terps the lead. Maryland (10-5) managed to hold on the rest of the way, securing a 7-6 win over Troy (6-9) and a crucial series victory.

Senior left-handed pitcher Benjamin Stubbs started on the mound for the Trojans. He entered the game coming off a seven-inning outing in which he only allowed two hits, and it looked like he would keep that momentum early.

Despite a leadoff hit from junior Brayden Martin, the Terps’ first offensive chance quickly fizzled after three consecutive outs, including Stubbs’ first strikeout of the day. Terps’ sophomore right-handed pitcher Jake Yeager responded with two strikeouts of his own, keeping the game scoreless entering the second inning.

Maryland found itself unable to capitalize on another leadoff hit in the second inning. Sophomore Rylen Stockton was left stranded at first base due mostly to another pair of strikeouts from Stubbs.

After a 1-2-3 inning for Yeager, the Dirty Terps’ struggles to finish on offense continued. Another pair of runners were stranded on the basepaths, including Martin after his second consecutive hit.

After three innings and four stranded runners for Maryland’s offense, Troy began to capitalize on their mistakes.

Troy senior infielder Blake Cavill started off the bottom of the third with a double to left field, and freshman catcher Caden Reeves drew a walk shortly after. Both runners would advance to scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from junior outfielder Zaid Diaz.

Yeager was able to put a lid on the Trojans’ offensive surge, striking out Jimmy Janicki and forcing a flyout from Aaron Piasecki. Troy would enter the fourth inning disappointed, leaving two runners out to dry in scoring position.

Despite all the offensive plays that had come to define this series, this game continued to be dominated by crucial defensive plays. 

Maryland increased their hit total to five in the fourth inning, getting another pair of runners on base. Despite this, they only had one out to work with, and a groundout from senior outfielder Aden Hill ended the chance despite a challenge attempt from head coach Matt Swope.

Troy finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning.

With two runners already on base, Yeager couldn’t collect a sacrifice bunt from Drew Nelson, leaving the bases loaded with no outs. Sophomore shortstop Nolan Book cashed in with a double to center, bringing all three runners across home plate.

All of a sudden, despite their hitting advantage throughout the game, the Terps found themselves down three runs. Yeager’s afternoon came to an end after hitting Cavill and sending him to first at the next at bat.

Junior righty Andrew Koshy entered the game and was tasked with limiting the damage in the inning, which only got harder after walking Reeves to load the bases.

After drawing two outs, a balk from Koshy forced a fourth run to home plate for Troy, but the inning ended shortly after with no further damage for the Terps. Maryland was hoping for the top of the order to get things going on offense.

Instead, Stubbs continued to stymie the Terps’ offense, forcing three quick outs to continue pushing the momentum Troy’s way. However, this wouldn’t last for long.

After Koshy held the Trojans hitless in the fifth, redshirt freshman Ryan Costello blasted his eighth home run of the year to start off the sixth inning. The Terps finally had the offensive breakthrough they were looking for.

Despite the big play, Troy escaped the inning without any further damage. With time running out, it was clear the defense needed to keep the Trojans’ offense at bay. 

Koshy remained on the mound in the bottom of the sixth and held up his end of the bargain, not allowing a hit in the frame. Troy decided to take Stubbs out of the game after a great six-inning outing, only allowing one earned run.

Junior right-hander Dylan Alonso took his place on the mound, and Maryland couldn’t take advantage of the pitching change. Two quick strikeouts helped end the inning, leaving Martin stranded on the bases yet again.

Redshirt junior righty Brayden Ryan came onto the mound for the Terps and quickly ended the seventh inning, but Maryland had no room to be relieved. They had 3 runs to make up and only 6 outs to work with.

The Terps quickly got to work. Costello walked to start the eighth inning, and Stockton followed it up with a two-run bomb that cut the deficit to one run. Troy quickly sent Brock Tapper onto the mound to try and stop the bleeding.

Maryland seized on the pitching change, quickly loading the bases. Though they had a chance to flip the momentum, Tapper escaped the inning after Ty Kaunas couldn’t get the hit the team needed.

With Ryan still on the mound, he needed to get the Terps to the ninth inning without letting any more runs through. The Trojans loaded the bases again, but Ryan kept his composure and struck out Reeves to end the inning.

In the top of the ninth, Maryland’s offense finally hit its stride.

After Costello’s second home run of the day, redshirt sophomore outfielder Jordan Crosland joined the fun with a two-run bomb of his own. After trailing for the whole day, Maryland found itself with a three-run lead heading into the game’s last half inning.

Sophomore right-hander Ryan Bailey took the mound in the bottom of the ninth, tasked with closing out the game and giving the Terps the series win. With one out down, Piasecki blasted a two-run homer to right field. Down 7-6, they only needed one run.

Down to their final out, the Trojans’ Sean Darnell sent a ball to left field that settled into the glove of Crosland, closing the book on an exciting series that ultimately proved triumphant for the Dirty Terps.

The Terps will return to action on Tuesday as they head to West Virginia for a midweek matchup against the No. 23 Mountaineers scheduled for 2 p.m. Tune into MBN’s broadcast with Ryan Martin on the call.