Devin Russell was confident he would win Maryland the series when he stepped to the plate. 

The redshirt junior had only played in nine games before the series against Indiana. But he was 3-for-4 at the plate and walked it off on Saturday for the Terps with a home run to give Maryland a mercy-rule win. 

On Sunday, Russell had gone 0-for-3, but found himself in a similar must-deliver position. He did just that.

Russell slammed the ball over dead center field for his second walk-off homer in as many games to give Maryland (17-19, 4-11) the 8-6 win over Indiana (14-21, 6-12) for its first conference series win. 

“It means the world,” Russell said. “We needed this win, we needed this series and I’m just glad I could help.”

Before the game, Russell told Maryland Baseball Network that his current role was to help the team in any way—on or off the field. Russell, a usual catcher, had been doing that by throwing in the bullpen during practices to give Maryland’s limited pitching rotation some rest. 

“I talked to the team about that and [said] that’s what selfless people do,” head coach Matt Swope said. “You like to see good things happen to people that are trying to do stuff for the team.”

The move paid off on Sunday as the Terps needed everyone. The rubber match against Indiana was an all too familiar must-win game for Maryland baseball. 

The Terps had taken their fifth-straight conference series-opening loss on Friday night to the Hoosiers. Swope said it was “the story” of his team this season, but looked to respond in the following games.

Maryland did just that in an offensive explosion with 14 hits while matching that in runs in its 14-4 mercy rule victory on Saturday, scoring five runs in two separate innings in its fourth mercy rule victory of the season and third in the past four matchups. 

The offensive production from Saturday had continued early. Maryland registered two hits in the first inning and was aided with runners on base by left-handed pitcher Brayton Thomas, who struggled early on the mound for the Hoosiers. 

Outfielder Jordan Crosland led off with his fifth hit of the season. Rylen Stockton had the second hit, lining to left center field to score two runners.

Indiana didn’t get on the board until the third, working a walked runner around with a hit from Ayden Crouse. They worked another runner around the bases in the fourth to tie it at 2-2.

The Hoosiers got their game lead from a strong fifth inning.

Andrew Koshy came in to start the fifth and had an unusually rough showing. He only faced four batters—all of whom got hits off the right-hander. Two of those were homers that combined for three Hoosier runs.

Maryland had to turn to its shortened bullpen and brought in freshman Austin Weiss as relief. The left-hander had thrown just four ⅓ innings coming into the game and looked calm on entering. He nearly doubled his longest showing, throwing two ⅓ innings for Maryland with just a run and two innings. 

He was prepped to throw longer, but Weiss’ strong showing was cut short.

The freshman threw his 28th pitch of the game, and on release, immediately grabbed his throwing forearm. Weiss was pulled to be medically evaluated, and slammed down his glove upon entering the dugout. 

Maryland used five pitchers in the game. The Terps’ starter wasn’t set to begin the weekend, but righty Brayden Ryan toed the rubber for Maryland for the first pitch.

Ryan’s first start of the season was solid. The redshirt junior went three full innings and gave up just a hit and a run, but didn’t register any strikeouts.

From Saturday afternoon and through most of Sunday’s game, the Terps still felt in control to pull out their first Big Ten series win. Russell’s grand slam finally gave Maryland the win it needed. 

“We deserve it. That moment was meant for us,” Swope said. “It’s been a tough season, there’s no doubt about that, but I was proud.” 

From Saturday night and through most of Sunday’s game, the Terps still felt in control to pull out their first Big Ten series win. But all too familiarly, they come up just short. 

The Dirty Terps will look to carry on this momentum on Tuesday as they stay home for a midweek against Towson. Tune in to MBN’s broadcast at 6:00 p.m. for first pitch, with Owen Korzak and Adam Lipman on the call.