Cristofer Cespedes struck out all nine batters in Penn State’s lineup as the right-hander recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts for Maryland on Friday in College Park.

Cespedes’ 12 strikeouts in the Dirty Terps’ (26-29, 8-21 B1G) 12-2 win against the Nittany Lions (16-34, 9-20 B1G) in Game 2 of the series was the most by a Maryland pitcher since 2022.

“I have a hundred percent confidence in that pitch,” Cespedes said about his slider, which was one of his most crucial pitches he used during the game. “I feel like I can throw it anytime, and any way I like it.”

Penn State got on the board first when Spencer Barnett homered in the second to give the Nittany Lions a 1-0 lead.

Not satisfied with being down, the Dirty Terps were hungry to score, as David Mendez quickly tied the game by hitting a solo home run. Paul Jones II crossed home plate and gave Maryland its first lead of the game after Jordan Crosland was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. 

Brayden Martin then hit a two-run single, scoring Ty Kaunas and Nate Hawton-Henley, and by the end of the second, the Dirty Terps had turned a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead. Maryland remained on top for the rest of the game. 

The Terps added two more runs in the fourth inning when Devin Russell hit a two-run homer, scoring himself and Nate Hawton-Henley, putting the Dirty Terps on top 6-1.

Penn State tried to come back when Preston Yaucher homered in the fifth, but Maryland was determined to keep the game out of reach. Bud Coombs homered and Jones II scored on an RBI single from Hawton-Henley. By the end of the fifth, the Dirty Terps were leading 8-2.

The Dirty Terps scored three more runs in the sixth to crush Penn State’s chances of winning. First, David Mendez hit a two-run RBI triple, causing Martin and Ryan Costello to cross home plate with ease. Maryland added another run when Jones reached first on a fielder’s choice, scoring Mendez from third. That run put Maryland in reach of the run-rule. 

The Nittany Lions threatened Maryland’s attempted mercy rule in the seventh, when they got bases loaded, but they weren’t able to score. The Dirty Terps were declared victorious when Russell hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, and Maryland won 12-2.

The win eliminated Penn State from Big Ten Tournament contention.

“Cespedes set the game today. He only had one freebie, and I feel like if we can set the tone of games offensively, if we play like we did today,” Maryland coach Matt Swope said. 

A rubber match Game 3 will be played tomorrow between Maryland and Penn State. Daniel Stein and Owen Korzak will be on call for MBN, first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.