Three errors which led to two runs scored for Rutgers (23-26, 10-15 BIG) and six runners left on base for Maryland (23-27, 6-19 BIG) caused the Dirty Terps to lose game one of the series against the Scarlet Knights on Friday.

Maryland’s 5-4 loss against the Scarlet Knights makes it the sixth straight conference loss for the Dirty Terps after losing the final two games of the series against Michigan State, and being swept by Michigan. 

Rutgers took the lead in the first inning and never looked back. Matt Chatelle hit a two-run homer, scoring himself and Gabriel Rivera, who was on first because of a throwing error. 

Ryan Jaros then hit a home run on the pitch after Chatelle’s, and by the end of the first, Rutgers was leading 3-0. 

Maryland got its first score in the third inning, when Brayden Martin hit a sacrifice fly to score Devin Russell, who was on third. Despite Jordan Crosland being in scoring position, the Dirty Terps couldn’t add another run, and they were down by two heading to the middle of the third.. 

Tyler Wiltsey gave Rutgers its second three-run lead in the fifth when he scored on an infield RBI-single hit by Jack Sweeney. By the end of the inning, the Scarlet Knights were leading 4-1, and the game felt out of reach.

After a scoreless sixth inning from both sides, Bud Coombs gave some much needed life to the Dirty Terps bats by hitting a solo home run, and scoring Maryland’s first run since the third. The Dirty Terps were then trailing by two again. 

The Scarlet Knights regained another three run lead during their half of the seventh when Wiltsey scored again after getting to third base on a throwing error, thanks to a sacrifice fly from Chase Krewson.

Maryland scored again in the ninth when Ty Kaunas crossed home plate on a Coombs double. Coombs made the mistake of heading for third and was ruled out giving the Dirty Terps the first out of the inning. Aden Hill and Russell grounded out after that and Rutgers won the game 5-3.

Game two of the series will be played on Saturday at Rutgers at 6 p.m. Ryan Martin will be on the call for MBN.