Feb. 27, 2012

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - On the heels of an undefeated run at the Keith LeClair Classic last weekend, the Maryland baseball team on Monday made its debut in two national polls.

The Terrapins, now 5-1 overall, check in at No. 20 in the Perfect Game USA Top 50, and No. 27 in the Collegiate Baseball News Top 30. It's the program's first appearance in the Perfect Game poll and its first inclusion since at least 1980 in the Collegiate Baseball News poll.

After wins over East Carolina and Purdue, Maryland owns four victories over teams ranked in the Perfect Game Top 30. East Carolina was No. 20 and Purdue was No. 26 last week, while UCLA was No. 19 when Maryland took two of three in Los Angeles during opening weekend.

Pitching has been the lynchpin to Maryland making its best start since 1987, when it also opened 5-1. The pitching staff hasn't allowed an earned run in the last 28 innings, going the entire weekend at the Keith LeClair Classic without allowing one. At 1.24, the Terps have the lowest team ERA in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

In 32 2/3 innings, Maryland's weekend rotation of Brady Kirkpatrick, David Carroll and Brett Harman has allowed just four earned runs. Furthermore, seven of the 10 pitchers that have seen time in the first two weekends have yet to allow an earned run.

The Terps will look to continue that success as they open their home schedule this weekend, when Manhattan visits for a four-game set. The Jaspers are the defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champions and return 26 letterwinners from a team that made the NCAA Tournament last year.

Admission to all of Maryland's non-conference games, including the four-game set with Manhattan this weekend, is free.

To view the entire Perfect Game Top 50, click here. To view the Collegiate Baseball News Top 30, click here.