PISCATAWAY, NJ – Maryland baseball won game one against Rutgers, 4-3, at Bainton Field on Friday. Maryland (30-17, 9-10 Big Ten) scored all its runs in the sixth inning.
The win marked the 12th time in program history that Maryland recorded 30 wins in a season. It was also of the comeback variety, as Rutgers (25-20, 3-13 Big Ten) scored first. The Terps have 17 comeback victories on the season and are 13-3 in one run games. They have also won five of their last six games.
Eddie Hacopian drove in the go-ahead run with a two-RBI double down the infield line in the sixth. Sam Hojnar added an RBI groundout, and Jacob Orr supplied a sacrifice fly. Chris Hacopian (2-for-4) and Orr (2-for-3) each finished with multiple knocks.
Rutgers rallied to make it a one-run game entering the bottom of the ninth, but Kenny Lippman finished the job and earned his second save of the season. He went 2.1 innings, allowed just one hit and struck out three batters.
Omar Melendez started on the mound and pitched a Maryland career-high 6.2 innings. He struck out five batters and allowed just three runs.
Swope's Take
"It was a good Friday night game I thought on both sides," Head Coach
Matt Swope said. "Omar gave us a good start, kind of got out of that first inning. We we're able to build that one big inning for the offense and cash in right there. Sometimes that's what a Friday night game supposed to look like."
Melendez On Getting Out Of Jams
"It's always about giving the team a chance and I was able to attack after falling behind a little bit in those innings. Just attack the zone and make them swing and also the big strikeout was pretty important too."
Breaking Down The Action
- Rutgers took a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning.
- Eddie Hacopian doubled down the infield line and drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning. Elijah Lambros and Devin Russell came around to score. Sam Hojnar added an RBI groundout, and Jacob Orr recorded a sacrifice fly to lead 4-1.
- Rutgers rallied by scoring two runs on a double in the bottom of the eighth. The Terps led 4-3 entering the ninth.
- Kenny Lippman recorded the final three outs and earned the save.
In The Record Books
- Kevin Keister drew one walk and has 112 in his career, ranking fourth in program history. Maxwell Costes (2019-22) is third with 116 in his career.
Numbers To Know
- 5: Maryland has won five of its last six games.
- 12: Maryland picked up its 12th 30-win season in program history.
- 13: Maryland is 13-3 in one-run games - a school record.
- 17: Maryland has 17 comeback wins this season.
- 20: Chris Hacopian has 20 multi-hit games this season.
- 25: Jacob Orr has 25 multi-hit games in his career.
- 49: Maryland scored three or more runs in an inning for the 49th time this season.
Up Next
- Maryland is back in action as they play a Rutgers tomorrow, May 4. Game one of the doubleheader will start at noon and and will ve televised on the Big Ten Network. Game two of the doubleheader will start approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one and will stream on B1G+. Both games of the doubleheader will also air on the Maryland Baseball Network.
