Maryland offense bounces back in 9-8 win against Illinois

Photo courtesy of Dylan Davies/Maryland Athletics

Maryland entered the ninth inning, clinging to a one-run lead. They turned to their star closer — Logan Berrier  — for his second multi-inning save this season. With a runner on second and one out, Berrier delivered just that, striking out the final two batters and securing the win.

Berrier’s fourth save allowed Maryland baseball (27-17, 7-10 Big Ten) to hold on to a must-win game and secure a 9-8 win against Illinois (25-14, 11-3 Big Ten) in College Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Terps entered Saturday’s matchup outside of the eight-team playoff picture. The win boosts Maryland’s conference record and is a step in the right direction for the defending Big Ten champions.

Game two of Maryland’s weekend series fell on Maryland Day. The Terps paid tribute to a packed Bob Turtle Smith Stadium by capitalizing on numerous free passes by the Illinois pitching staff.

A pair of hit batters gave Maryland an early lead. Two-out hits from Kevin Keister and Michael Iannazzo gave Maryland a 4-0 lead in the opening frame.

After the first inning, the Terps’ offense found its power as home runs from Elijah Lambros and Devin Russell gave the Terps a two-run lead.

“I was on the barrel the whole at-bat,” Russell said on his home run. “I wasn’t really thinking he was going to come back with the fastball, so it was kind of sitting soft… then he hung the changeup.”

Eddie Hacopian then took it upon himself to power the Maryland offense, delivering a pair of RBI hits to expand Maryland’s lead to three.

In Omar Melendez’s last Saturday start, he pitched a season-best six innings but could not replicate the same success against Illinois. Melendez went just 2.2 innings, surrendering five runs on seven hits.

Coach Matt Swope went to Kenny Lippman in relief of Melendez, and the graduate student made an immediate impact. He struck out the first batter, setting the tone in an outing where he allowed just one over 4.1 innings pitched. Lippman was in control all afternoon, finishing with five strikeouts.

“He’s been pretty good the last couple of outings,” Swope said on Lippman. “He did a great job stabilizing a wild first three innings.” 

After a sluggish first inning, two swings got Illinois back into the game. Jacob Schroeder obliterated a three-run home run off the rooftop of the varsity house in left field. Vytas Valincius followed up with a two-run home run to center field in the next inning, tying the game 5-5.

The back-and-forth action continued as Maryland tried to pull ahead, but Camden Janik’s fourth RBI of the series cut Illinois’ deficit to 8-6. 

Maryland brought in Berrier in the eighth inning for another multi-inning save. The senior provided a clean nine-outs on Tuesday against James Madison. But his performance was not as smooth as his prior outing, allowing two runs in the eighth and giving Maryland a scare before providing the save.

“That’s what closers do, they always keep it interesting,” Swope said. “I told him there wasn’t even a question we’re gonna send you back out [for the ninth inning].”

With the win, The Terps will look to win the series on Sunday at noon. The Terps have done well on Sunday games at home against Big Ten opponents, going 3-0.