Photo courtesy of University of Maryland Athletics, All Rights Reserved
If you’re wondering how the Terps’ bullpen woes have been this season, it has gotten to the point where the NCAA is no longer allowing them to play nine innings.
Maryland baseball (13-14, 2-6 Big Ten) falls under five hundred for the first time this season after dropping their second game against Northwestern, getting dominated 18-8 on Saturday in College Park.
Northwestern (12-12, 5-3) had all the answers against the Terrapins. The Wildcats combined for 17 hits, nine of which were for extra bases. Not a single one of the 18 runs Northwestern put up was unearned, despite having more hits than runs.
The Wildcats had nearly every Terps pitcher figured out throughout the game. Ryan van Buren was the only Terps pitcher to throw multiple scoreless innings, though he ultimately gave up a three-run home run towards the end of his outing.
Starting pitcher Logan Hastings lasted just one inning before getting the hook, allowing six runs in the process, good for an ERA of 54.00. Devin Milberg lasted for exactly one out before finishing the day with a 54.00 ERA as well.
Despite chewing up a significant amount of bullpen arms, head coach Matt Swope said maybe it was for the best.
“I don’t really think it matters if you’re going to give up 18 runs,” Swope said.
On the other hand, the Wildcats only put two pitchers in the game. Matthew Kouser threw 90 pitches through 3.1 innings, giving up seven runs (four runs earned) to the Terps bats. Northwestern only went to the bullpen once, calling on Crawford Wade for the remaining 3.2 innings, during which he gave up just one run.
Jack Freeman dominated the Terps bullpen throughout the game, racking up eight RBIs on just three hits in just the first three innings alone. The right fielder finished the day with two doubles and a grand slam, accounting for nearly half the Wildcats’ runs in the blowout.
The game would not have even been as close as it was had it not been for the bat of Hollis Porter. The first baseman was responsible for four RBIs and scored runners on every hit he had today. Porter finished the day 3-4 with an OPS of 2.000.
Swope emphasized the need for bullpen pitchers who can consistently last for multiple innings.
“On the staff, somebody’s got to get in there and give us some length,” Swope said. “Just a lack of consistency.”
Maryland will conclude their series against the Wildcats tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.
