WACO, TX – The Maryland baseball team opened its season with a 4-0 win at Baylor after a stellar, four-hit, no-run performance by pitcher Nick Dean. Catcher Luke Shliger got on base three times and stole two bases, with his leadoff double sparking the two-run first inning that put the Terps up 2-0 thanks to RBI's from Chris Alleyne and Nick Lorusso.

Maryland (1-0) was able to plate two more in the eighth inning as Shliger's walk was followed by two stolen bases and a wild pitch, with Bobby Zmarzlak's RBI single bringing home Matt Shaw. 

Freshman Noah Mrotek closed the door on the Bears in the eighth and ninth inning, striking out three.

From The Coach

• "I think our guys were prepared. I think they fought really hard. It wasn't the prettiest thing at times offensively, but we had some really good moments and capitalized on. The story of the game is Nick Dean and good gracious, what an outstanding start. Then we bring the young pup in after him in Mrotek and he ends up punching out an elite letter level hitter in McKenzie, and then comes back out and slams the door in the ninth. It was a really good, complete team effort. Our defense was great. Dean was doing exactly what Friday night guys are supposed to do, and it's a good way to start the year.

Breaking Down The Action

• Shliger's aforementioned double was followed by a wild pitch, an RBI triple from Alleyne, and an RBI groundout from Lorusso.
• Dean proceeded to carve up the Baylor offense, striking out eight Bears, walking just one, and allowing no runs. No runner made it past second base against Dean on Friday night.
• Shliger's walk in the eighth put him on base and the sophomore proceeded to steal two bases and scored on a wild pitch. Zmarzlak would later bring home Matt Shaw (who reached on a base on balls) on an RBI single.
• Mrotek came in relief for Dean and proceeded to strike out Baylor's two best players, Tre Richardson and All-American Jared McKenzie.

Notable Numbers

• Dean's eight strikeouts tie his career-high, which was set last year against Minnesota  (4/30).
• Shliger reached base three times on the day to go along with his scored run, reaching by hit-by-pitch and base on balls. Shliger also stole a base in the eighth inning.
• Shortstop Matt Shaw collected his first hit of the season after batting .332 last season as a freshman. Shaw also drew a walk in the eighth inning and later scored.
• Troy Schreffler Jr. got on the scoresheet with his ninth-inning single. 

Up Next

• The Terps play game two of the three-game series Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. EST. 
• The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and on the Maryland Baseball Network.