Box Score PORTLAND, OR – Maryland baseball won its 15th consecutive weekend series by escaping Portland, 7-6, on Sunday at Joe Etzel Field. The streak dates back to March 11, 2023, when Maryland claimed the series victory over Maine in the second game between the schools.
Portland (10-7) grabbed the lead at two different points in the game. But Elijah Lambros came through in the eighth inning with a two-RBI double to tie the game at 5-5.
Eddie Hacopian then drove home the go-ahead run with a perfectly placed bunt down the third base line. Maryland (15-5) added one final run in the inning for insurance.
Jacob Orr went 4-for-5 in the game as he doubled and drove in a run. His four hits were a career-high and he continued his prolific performance from yesterday. He has seven hits and five RBIs over his last two games.
The Terps took a one-run advantage two pitches into the game as freshman Chris Hacopian homered to left center field. It was the Terps' first leadoff home run since Luke Shliger had one against Ohio State on April 14, 2023. The long ball was Hacopian's fifth of the season and third of the series. He finished the game 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run.
Sam Hojnar hit his third home run of the season in the sixth inning. He finished with two RBIs. Kevin Keister notched multiple hits with a double and two runs scored. Overall, the Terps equaled their season-high of 15 hits in the contest.
Joey McMannis pitched four hitless innings. He allowed just two hits and struck out three batters in his five innings pitched. Trystan Sarcone supplied two innings of relief before Alex Walsh recorded his second save as a Terp. Sarcone was awarded his first win of the season.
Coach Swope's Take
"I thought it was a great comeback. Chris [Hacopian] really got us going with a home run to leadoff the game. I felt that even though we got some hits, we didn't necessarily punch through. Credit goes to Portland, I don't think they had a walk until the sixth or seventh inning. When teams aren't going to walk you it makes you have to earn it and makes it a little bit tougher. We kept grinding it out even when they took the lead 3-2, Sam [Hojnar] gave us a big swing. They got back on top, and I think I can't say enough about these kids that no matter what the situation is or how we play, these guys pull for each other. They're a good group of kids and listen, there's something to be said about finding a way to win."
Chris Hacopian on His Approach at the Plate in the Win
"I was just getting good pitches to hit and trying to be aggressive and hunt the damage zone. That was the big thing for me today. If I get a middle fastball from like the two-six spot, I want to put a good swing on it."
Breaking Down The Action
- Chris Hacopian took the second pitch of the game over the wall in left-center. Maryland took a 1-0 pitch seconds into the start of the game.
- Jacob Orr drove home Kevin Keister with a double in the second inning. The Terps extended their lead to 2-0.
- Portland got on the board in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly. The runner walked and advanced to third on an error. Joey McMannis kept his no-hitter intact.
- Portland took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run single.
- The Terps tied the game at 3-3 with a solo home run to center field by Sam Hojnar in the sixth.
- In the bottom of the sixth, Portland's Ben Patacsil hit a two-run home run to take a 5-3 lead.
- With bases loaded in the eighth inning, Elijah Lambros came through with a two-RBI double to left center. Eddie Hacopian then laid down a perfect bunt down the third base line to bring home Devin Russell. Hojnar was hit by a pitch with bases loaded and another run came across from insurance. The Terrapins led 7-5 entering the bottom of the inning.
- Portland scored a run in the ninth, but Alex Walsh received the save by stranding to runners on base.
Numbers To Know
- 1: Trystan Sarcone received his first win of the season.
- 2: Alex Walsh recorded his second save as a Terp.
- 3: Chris Hacopian had three home runs in the series against Portland.
- 4: The Terps have won their first four series of the season.
- 4: Hacopian recorded a career-high four hits.
- 4: Jacob Orr recorded a career-high four hits.
- 5: Orr compiled five RBIs in his last two games.
- 7: Orr has seven hits in his last two games.
- 5: Hacopian hit his fifth home run of the season.
- 9: Hacopian had his ninth multi-hit game of his freshman season.
- 13: Sam Hojnar smacked his 13th career home run. The Iowa transfer had 10 homers as a Hawkeye.
- 15: The Terps equaled its season high of 15 hits.
- 15: Maryland won its 15th consecutive weekend series.
- 20: Orr registered multiple hits for the 20th time in his career.
- 44: Kevin Keister notched his 44th career game with multiple hits.
Up Next
- Maryland is back in action at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium on March 19 for a game against James Madison. First pitch is at 4 pm ET and the game will be streamed on Big Ten Plus and Maryland Baseball Network.
