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University of Maryland Athletics

Chris Hacopian Grand Slam
3
UAB UAB 0-1
6
Winner Maryland UMD 1-0
UAB UAB
0-1
3
Final
6
Maryland UMD
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
UAB UAB 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 3 7 1
Maryland UMD 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 X 6 6 0

W: McCoy, Kyle (1-0) L: Cole Cheatham (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Hacopian’s Grand Slam Lifts Terps To Season Opener Win, 6-3

CHARLESTON, SC – Chris Hacopian hit a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning to lead Maryland in a 6-3 win over UAB in its 2025 season opener in the Swig and Swine College Classic at Detyens Field on Friday. 

Hacopian's homer, the 16th of his career, marked the second time in three years that the Terps hit a grand slam on opening day. Jacob Orr hit the last one in Maryland's 2023 season opener at USF. 
The sophomore's smash contributed four of the Terps' six runs, all of which occurred in the fourth. The others were from RBI singles by Elijah Lambros and Eddie Hacopian. Lambros went 2-for-4 and added a run. Eddie went 2-for-5 and also added a run.  

Kyle McCoy made his first appearance on the mound since May 5, 2023, as he missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He started and surrendered just one run through four innings. McCoy struck out four batters and allowed three hits, earning his fifth career win. 

Ryan Van Buren came out of the bullpen and provided three scoreless innings of relief. He surrendered just one hit and a walk. Despite getting in an eighth-inning jam, Andrew Johnson recorded the final six outs. 

UAB scored its first run with an RBI single by Todd Clay in the top of the fourth, which broke open the game's scoring. The Blazers added two more runs in the top of the eighth on a two-run single by Nick Hollifield. The Blazers are now 0-1 on the year. 


Breaking Down The Action
  • Kyle McCoy pitched back-to-back 1-2-3 innings, and heading into the bottom of the third, the game was scoreless.
  • UAB broke into the scoring column first, leading 1-0 with an RBI single in the top of the fourth. 
  • Elijah Lambros and Eddie Hacopian responded for the Terps in the bottom of the inning. Both hit RBI singles to put Maryland ahead 2-1. 
  • Chris Hacopian then hit a grand slam to open the game and give the Terps a 6-1 advantage. It was his second career grand slam and the second time in three years that a Terp had hit one in a season opener. 
  • Ryan Van Buren pitched three scoreless innings in relief, and Andrew Johnson took over. In the eighth, UAB scored two runs on a single to left field. However, Johnson recorded the final three outs in the inning to keep Maryland in front. The Terps still led 6-3. 
  • Johnson recorded the final three outs in the ninth inning to secure the win for the Terps. 
The New No. 3 
  • Eddie Hacopian has taken over the mantle as this season's new No. 3 and team captain, taking over for former All-Big Ten First Teamer Kevin Keister. Hacopian finished 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run in his first game wearing the iconic number. It was also his first game playing third base after switching from first base over the offseason. 
  • The No. 3 is a huge honor for whoever is given the number as it embodies the three pillars of Maryland baseball: toughness, ownership, and growth mindset.
  • Hacopian, a 2024 All-Big Ten First Team selection, is continuing the tradition of strong leadership and honor that the No. 3 jersey represents.
  • Hacopian is coming off a strong 2024 campaign, where the Potomac native finished with a .377 batting average, 83 hits, nine home runs and 51 RBI. His 83 hits a season ago were the 10th-most for a Terp in a single season. 
  • For more about Hacopian's story and journey to Maryland, visit this link. 
Terp Debuts 
  • Three transfers debuted as Terps in Maryland's season opener. Hollis Porter (1B), Liam Willson (LF) and Aden Hill (RF) started and batted third, fourth and fifth in the lineup, respectively.
  • Porter is a redshirt sophomore from Pearl River Community College, Willson is a sophomore from Wake Forest and Hill is a junior from VCU.  
Numbers To Know
  • 2: Chris Hacopian hit the second grand slam of his career, as he recorded one last season vs. James Madison on March 19, 2024. 
  • 2: This was the second time in three seasons a Terp hit a grand slam in a season opener.
  • 3: Three transfers debut in a Maryland uniform.
  • 5: McCoy earned his fifth career win. 
  • 6: All six runs were scored by a different Terp. 
  • 11: Chris Hacopian posted his 11th game with multiple RBIs. 
  • 16: Chris Hacopian hit the 16th home run of his career. 
  • 31: Lambros has 31 multi-hit games in his career. 
  • 51: Eddie Hacopian recorded his 51st multi-hit game as a Terp.  
Up Next
  • Maryland is back in action tomorrow for a double header. At 11 a.m., it will play Ball State, and at 7 p.m. it will play Mercyhurst. Both games will be broadcast on HiCast Sports Network and Maryland Baseball Network.
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