The Dirty Terps headed way out west this weekend to take on the Portland Pilots, in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Here's a look at how the weekend went: Friday: Portland 5, Maryland 3 The opening game of the series was another rough outing for Kenny Lippman, who was looking to bounce back after recording just one out against Charlotte. Portland struck early and often, scoring three times in the bottom of the first thanks to RBI hits from Christian Cooney and Zach Toglia. Toglia did more damage in the third bringing home two to make it 5-0 Portland. Lippman was able to recover and go five innings, but the Maryland offense was quiet until late in the game. Maryland was able to make it a game late scoring twice in the 7th thanks to a wild pitch and a Kevin Keister sac-fly, and one in eighth on a Portland error. However, that would not be enough as the Pilots won their home opener 5-3. Nick Brink was in full control for Portland going seven innings, allowing just two earned, and striking out 11 while walking none. Saturday: Maryland 9, Portland 8 The middle game of the series was quite a doozy. After losing Friday night, the Terps came out red hot on Saturday scoring four times in the first inning. Following Eddie Hacopian reaching on an error to make it 1-0, Jacob Orr doubled to score 2 more, and the Terps got one more due to a passed ball. In the fourth, the Terps extended their lead from 4-1 to 6-1 thanks to more lackluster Pilots defense (Portland made five errors in game two) and an RBI single by Sam Hojnar. With the score at 7-1 going to the bottom of the 7th, it looked like the Terps were gonna get an easy win. But Portland scored twice in the seventh on two RBI groundouts. Maryland added one in the eighth after Elijah Lambros was hit by a pitch to make it 8-3, but that's where things got hairy for Maryland. Portland made it 8-5 with two RBI singles from Gage Bruce and Jace Miller. With two out, the Pilots got a double from Tristan Gomes that made it a one-run game, and then Evan Scavotto singled to tie the game at 8. However, in the ninth, Jacob Orr played the hero for the Terps doubling home Sam Hojnar with two out and giving Maryland the game-winning RBI. Logan Koester made another solid start for Maryland going seven innings and allowing just three. Nate Haberthier was the one who surrendered five in the eighth, while Logan Berrier earned the save. Sunday: Maryland 7, Portland 6 Maryland was able to pull out the series victory on Sunday by securing another one-run win. Chris Hacopian got the Terps on the board early with a home run in the first, before Jacob Orr made it 2-0 in the second with a double. Portland was able to tie it up thanks to one run in the fourth, and one in the fifth. Sam Hojnar homered in the 6th to give Maryland the lead, but Portland took it back in the bottom half thanks to a two-run homer by Brett Patascil. The Terps were able to rally in the eighth when Elijah Lambros doubled to give Maryland the lead back, Eddie Hacopian had an RBI bunt single, and Hojnar was hit by a pitch, which drove in a run. Portland got one back in the ninth but left the tying run on second base to end it. Joey McMannis went 5 for Maryland and allowed two runs. Takeaways: Rotation Flip? Logan Koester has been Maryland's best pitcher by far this season, and has not made a start allowing more than three runs. With Kenny Lippman struggling in his last two starts, it might be worth wondering whether Matt Swope will move Koester to the Friday night spot when conference play begins this weekend. Cardiac Terps Despite Maryland leading 8-3 going into the bottom of the eighth, Portland responded by scoring five runs in the frame. Even with this, the Terps were able to find a way to win thanks to Jacob Orr. It was the second game of the week that Maryland won in the ninth inning (Mount St Mary's). Another Series Win Maryland has still not lost a weekend series this season as they move into conference play next weekend. The Terps begin their back-to-back Big Ten title defense next week against Michigan State, and will also look to keep their Big Ten winning series streak alive when the Spartans come to town. Up next: Maryland will finally return home to The Bob on Tuesday for a midweek showdown with the James Madison Dukes before the Michigan State Spartans roll in to kick off conference play. All four games can be streamed on Big Ten Plus. All Maryland Baseball games are free to listen to on the Maryland Baseball Network. Related Links Notes on BB roster & portal...In-state lineman has two visits, including official, set to MarylandMaryland women’s basketball draws ten-seed, faces Iowa State in first round of NCAA TournamentLocal DL set to unofficially visit Maryland in AprilRecap: Maryland men’s lacrosse falls, 14-10, vs. VirginiaFormer JMU assistant Damian Wroblewski expected to join Maryland staff
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