Box Score COLLEGE PARK, MD – Chris Hacopian smashed a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning to provide insurance runs as Maryland baseball took down James Madison, 9-5, on Tuesday at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium. It was the Terps' fifth win in their last at-bat this season and their first grand slam of the season after leading the NCAA with 11 last season. Maryland has won 10 of its last 12 games.
Maryland (16-5) trailed by three runs early in the game but rattled off four runs in the bottom of the second to take the lead. James Madison (13-8), rated No. 9 among Division I schools in RPI, added a run in the fourth, and the schools remained tied for the next three innings.
Jordan Crosland's sacrifice bunt drove in the go-ahead run to take a 5-4 lead and Hacopian sealed the deal with his team-leading sixth home run of the season, clearing the bases.
Hacopian finished the game 3-for-3 with five RBIs and two runs. He got on base all four times he entered the batter's box.
Omar Melendez recorded the win in relief, pitching 3.1 innings. He struck out four batters and allowed just one run and three hits.
Logan Berrier finished the game, recording the final two outs.
Brayden Martin, Eddie Hacopian and Crosland each cracked two hits. Hacopian recorded a double and an RBI. Crosland scored two runs and added an RBI.
The Terps are ranked No. 32 in RPI. They have also won all seven of their home games thus far this season.
Breaking Down The Action
- James Madison took a 1-0 lead with a leadoff home run by Mike Mancini. Mason Dunaway extended the Duke's lead to 2-0 with a solo shot to left field.
- The Dukes added a run in the second inning to take a 3-0 lead on a sacrifice fly. The runner tagged up from third to score on a deep drive to center field.
- The Terps got on the board in the bottom of the second inning, with a sacrifice fly by Elijah Lambros to second base driving in a run to trail 3-1. Chris Hacopian followed that score up with an RBI single and Eddie Hacopian's double down right field to give Maryland their first lead of the game 4-3.
- Jason Schiavone's RBI groundout in the top of the fourth tied the game up 4-4.
- Omar Melendez struck out two batters in his first inning of relief in the sixth.
- Eddie Hacopian advanced two runners into scoring position in the seventh inning, but the Terps couldn't capitalize.
- Hacopian was able to escape a jam stranding two Duke runners on base in the eighth inning.
- A walk, wild pitch and sacrifice bunt advanced Jacob Orr to third, putting the Terps in scoring position. Devin Russell walked, setting up Jordan Crosland's RBI bunt single to first base allowing Maryland to regain the lead 5-4. Chris Hacopian launched a grand slam to left field extending Maryland's lead 9-4.
- Jason Schiavone responded for James Madison homering to right field at the top of the ninth inning cutting into the lead 9-5. Logan Berrier entered the game and recorded the final two outs to seal the game.
Swope's Take
"He's one of the most impact freshmen in the country," head coach
Matt Swope said about Hacopian. "I don't care what anybody says. We knew at times watching him that he would have these streaks where he was really good, but it's scary to see if he can figure it out this early in his career. ... He's just been unbelievable, so can't say enough about him. What a great person what a great teammate"
Chris Hacopian On His Grand Slam
"I was just looking for a heater up and thankfully I got it. I was able to put a good swing on it. ... If you look at my first 10 games, I was a little taller in my setup, and I was struggling to see breaking balls and stuff. I've adjusted to be a lot lower and in my legs more and that's made a huge difference in seeing the off-speed and just getting on fastballs."
Numbers To Know
- 1: Chris Hacopian hit the Terps' first grand slam of the season after they led the country in grand slams last season with 11.
- 2: Omar Melendez picked up his second win of the season.
- 3: Jordan Crosland notched his third career multi-hit game.
- 4: Brayden Martin notched the fourth career multi-hit game of his career.
- 5: The Terps picked up their fifth win in their last at-bat this season.
- 6: Hacopian hit his team-best sixth home run of the season.
- 7: Hacopian has seven hits in his last two games.
- 7: The Terps are 7-0 at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium this season.
- 10: Hacopian had his ninth multi-hit game of his freshman season.
- 10: The Terps are 10-2 in their last 12 games.
- 14: Hacopian has a 14-game on-base streak.
- 31: Eddie Hacopian had his 31st career multi-hit game.
Up Next
- Maryland is back in action at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium on March 22 for its Big Ten opener against Michigan State. First pitch is at 6 pm and the game will be streamed on Big Ten Plus and Maryland Baseball Network.
