Slamming Success
Maryland Baseball opened 2023 with a grand slam in each of its first three games of the season.
2/22/2023
Maryland baseball opened its 2023 with a remarkable achievement as the Terrapins slugged a grand slam in each of their first three games of the season. Although the NCAA wasn't able to confirm, it is believed to be the first time in college baseball history that a team hit a grand slam in its first three games of a season.
“There is something to say about being able to hit when the money is on the table and I think the best hitters do that,” said Maryland head coach Rob Vaughn. "The best teams and the best offenses can hit when it matters. We obviously had some different guys hit those home runs, but if you can drive the baseball with money on the table that is what will be huge for us."
Jacob Orr started the run with a grand slam on Friday night. Then on Saturday, Nick Lorusso added a slam and Ian Petrutz finished the hat trick with a slam on Sunday.
How rare is it for a team to hit grand slams in three consecutive games, it has been done just five times in nearly 150 years of Major League Baseball. The MLB record for consecutive games with a grand slam is four -- and that was set in 2020 by the San Diego Padres. Prior to that quartet of games with a slam, the MLB record for consecutive games with a slam was three and that was accomplished just four times in MLB history (1895 Cleveland Spiders, 1978 Milwaukee Brewers, 1993 Detroit Tigers and 2006 Chicago White Sox).
History in Tampa ????
— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) February 22, 2023
Take a look back at all three grand slams from our weekend in the sunshine state#DirtyTerps pic.twitter.com/i0ZCLSfsgT
Friday, Feb. 17: Jacob Orr, Eighth Inning
Jacob Orr's first career home run came on a grand slam in the top of the eighth inning of the Terps' season opener of the 2023 season. Orr's blast to centerfield on a 1-0 count cut Maryland's deficit from 8-3 to 8-7 as his bomb scored Kevin Keiser, Eddie Hacopian and Petrutz.
A look back at Grand Slam 1 of 3 from a terrific weekend in Tampa ????#DirtyTerps pic.twitter.com/zAGatvrBgl
— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) February 20, 2023
When I saw it go over the fence I was super excited, it was my first collegiate home run so that was a big thing for me but bringing the team within one run that way was exciting and gave us a chance to win the game.Jacob Orr
I think this just shows all the work that our hitters have put in, we come in and grind everyday. We have a special group and I think it shows the talent we have on this team.
Saturday, Feb. 18: Nick Lorusso, Seventh Inning
With Maryland up 3-0 in the top of the seventh, Lorusso took a 1-0 pitch and slugged it into the trees in left field to put the Terps up 7-0. His blast scored Matt Shaw, Elijah Lambros and Bobby Zmarzlak. The Terps went on to the 8-1 victory over the Bulls to even the series.
Mid 7 | GRAND SLAMMMM!!!
— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) February 18, 2023
Back to back games with a grand slam as Nick Lorusso punishes a ball over the left center fence
Terps 7, USF 0 pic.twitter.com/YRLgkL1MKU
It was awesome, it shows that this team can do damage with runners in scoring position and hopefully we can continue to do that.Nick Lorusso
Sunday, Feb. 19: Ian Petrutz, Fifth Inning
Petrutz smacked the first pitch of the at-bat over the rightfield fence to score Lorusso, Shaw and Lambros to extend the Terps' lead from 4-2 to 8-2 in the fifth inning. The slam proved to be the decisive hit for the Terps as USF scored three runs in the seventh before Shaw drove in another run in the ninth for a 9-5 Terps victory.
Top 5 | MAKE IT THREE!!!
— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) February 19, 2023
Ian Petrutz makes it THREE straight games with a grand slam for the Terps??
Terps 8, USF 2 pic.twitter.com/55hVOqzZ9K
It was a good feeling to open up the game a little bit...we did a better job of coming out every inning and trying to get leadoff runners on. Just opening the game up with four runs their was huge.Ian Petrutz
