After splitting midweek games, Maryland baseball looks for road series win vs. USF

henrylilienfeld
Mar 13
3 min read

After a pair of dramatic midweek games, the Maryland Terrapins (9-8) head south to Tampa for a three-game series against the USF Bulls (7-7). The Terps are looking to build momentum before heading into Big Ten play, while the Bulls aim to get back above .500 after a competitive start to their season.

A Midweek of Highs and Lows

Maryland kicked off the week with a heartbreaking 7-6 loss to No. 23 Virginia in a neutral-site contest at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. The Terps had a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning before the Cavaliers stormed back with three runs to take control. After Virginia tacked on two more in the eighth, Maryland staged an electric ninth-inning rally, scoring three runs to tie the game. But just as quickly as they pulled even, the Terps lost in walk-off fashion on a wild pitch.

Despite the loss, Maryland showed resilience in bouncing back on Wednesday with a 9-3 win over Mount St. Mary’s at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium. The Terps relied on small ball, piling up singles, walks, and hit batters rather than power-hitting. Freshman Parker Corbin made the most of his second career start, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. On the mound, Maryland’s bullpen was dominant, with four relievers combining to allow just one run over eight innings after starter Ryan Bailey struggled in the first.

With one win and one loss in the books this week, Maryland now turns its attention to USF, seeking to close out non-conference play on a high note.

Series History and Key Matchups

This marks the second time in three seasons that Maryland and USF will face off in the regular season. The Terps took two of three games in Tampa in 2023, and they’ll look to replicate that success in this weekend’s series at USF Baseball Stadium.

The Bulls come into the matchup following a tough series against Villanova. After winning Friday’s opener in walk-off fashion, they dropped the final two games, including a 12-9 slugfest on Saturday and an 8-5 loss in the finale.

USF’s offense is led by Ryan Pruitt, who boasts a .373 batting average and 19 hits – ranking 10th in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Sebastian Greico provides the power, leading the Bulls with six home runs and 20 RBIs.

On the mound, Corey Braun has been USF’s most reliable pitcher, holding a 2-0 record with a 2.59 ERA and 30 strikeouts. Adan Longoria leads the team with seven appearances, while Landen Yorek and Jack Nedrow each have two wins.

Maryland Players to Watch

Alex Calarco: The Terps’ power-hitting first baseman has been on a tear, launching 10 home runs this season – tied for the most in the Big Ten and second in the nation. He also leads the team with 35 RBIs and recently earned the Dick Howser National Hitter of the Month award.

Aden Hill: Hill made national headlines after hitting two home runs in the same inning during Maryland’s 17-1 win over Princeton on Feb. 28. The junior outfielder has been a key contributor to a Maryland lineup that ranks among the nation’s best in run production.

Chris Hacopian: Another powerful presence in the Terps’ lineup, Hacopian has hit two grand slams this season and is part of a Maryland squad that has already blasted six grand slams in just 16 games – a feat unheard of in college baseball.

Final Thoughts

Maryland has shown flashes of dominance at the plate this season, but pitching inconsistencies have cost them in key moments. The Terps will look to clean up those issues against USF before diving into Big Ten competition. If Maryland can combine its explosive offense with more reliable pitching, they have the potential to leave Tampa with a series win.

First pitch for the weekend series is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, followed by games at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.

Related Links