Maryland baseball crushes Richmond, 19-4, behind offensive explosion

Photo courtesy of Norah Copenhaver/Maryland Athletics.

In Maryland’s last game against Richmond, the Terps fell 7-5. They matched that run total in the first inning of Tuesday’s game against the Spiders.

Maryland (13-15, 2-7 Big Ten) routed Richmond (14-15, 3-6) 19-4 – in seven innings – claiming the second game in a home-and-home series. The Terps scored in all their offensive appearances, even without lineup mainstays Ryan Costello and David Mendez.

The win follows a stretch where Maryland had seven straight games against ranked opponents.

“I’ve been happy with the majority of the two weeks. I know the results haven’t necessarily been there with only one win but I was happy with that,” said head coach Matt Swope. “But also challenging them a little bit (today), next man up with what we’ve had going on, extremely happy with the offensive effort today.”

Glenn Smith started on the mound for Richmond. The right-hander came into the game on a four game losing streak, although he didn’t record the official loss in any of those appearances.

Junior Brayden Martin got things started for the Terps from the lead-off spot. He dropped a picture-perfect bunt down the third base line, giving Maryland an early baserunner.

Martin started the game three for three with two singles and an RBI double – a big difference from his 0-4 slash line in the Terps’ last bout with the Spiders. He ended the game with two RBIs and crossed home three times himself.

“The approach was just jump on the first one I get,” said Martin. “The coaches found some tells and things that helped me, I think helped everybody with the score being like that.”

Freshman shortstop Ty Kaunas put the pressure on Richmond’s defense with another bunt, and a wild throw to third allowed Martin to complete his trip around the bases, tying the game.

Back to back sacrifice flies added to Maryland’s early run total. Sophomore second baseman Jackson Sirois then launched his second home run of the season, giving the Terps five in the opening frame and triggering an early pitching change for the Spiders.

Sirois – who got his first home run against No. 12 USC on Saturday – wasn’t satisfied with just one homer against Richmond. He sent another ball over the wall in the sixth – his third in as many games. 

Maryland continued to get early baserunners throughout the game.

A bases loaded situation in the second inning appeared to have soured for the Terps after an impressive catch and tag from Richmond third-baseman Aidan O’Keefe put two outs on the board and runners at first and second. However, sophomore Paul Jones II crushed a home run over the center field wall, adding three more runs for Maryland and giving them a 8-3 lead.

The Terps bats kept up the pressure in the fourth inning, exploding for six runs. With two outs in the fourth, they knocked four consecutive RBI singles, extending their lead to double digits.

Sophomore Jordan Crosland hit one of those RBI singles. The outfielder would also be the benefactor of help from his teammates on the bases – he crossed home plate four different times in the game, leading the Terps in runs.

Richmond used nine different arms throughout their six innings pitched.

Nic Morlang took the mound first for Maryland – his sixth start in his freshman season. He came into the game looking to even up his record, which was sitting at 2-3.

His last outing against Virginia ended after just 2.1 innings pitched. The right-hander had a similarly short outing against Richmond, going just two innings and giving up three runs.

Andrew Koshy took over the mound in the third, going two innings and only giving up an unearned run. His performance was rewarded with a notch in the win column.

Three other Terps pitchers were used in the game, all contributing to shutting out the Spiders through the last three innings.