During their series against the Tennessee Volunteers, it became clear how important starting pitching success will be for the Terps, especially in the back of the rotation.
While Maryland has two reliable pitchers in Taylor Bloom and Tyler Blohm, who both picked up wins over the weekend, the other starters deal with some inconsistency issues.
Although only one start in, Hunter Parsons demonstrated that on Sunday, giving up eight earned runs in only one inning in the Terps’ 13-6 loss.
On the other hand, Blohm and Bloom both performed well in the first two games against the Volunteers, with Bloom going seven scoreless innings on Friday and Blohm only allowing two runs in a little over five innings of work. The Terps won both of those games.
With a weekend series against Army beginning Friday, the Maryland will avoid using Terrapin aces Taylor Bloom and Tyler Blohm against William and Mary.
This means the Terps will once again look to a less-proven starter to get the job done on Wednesday. Freshman right-hander Mark DiLuia, who went 3 ⅔ innings giving up four earned runs on Sunday, will most likely get the ball for Maryland.
As a freshman, DiLuia has not had much collegiate work so far, but keeping William and Mary off the board early and getting the ball to the bullpen, which has only allowed seven runs in 12 ⅔ innings, will be instrumental for the Terps.
DiLuia will face a lineup that could only muster one run in nine innings against Clemson on Sunday. However, players like junior infielder Zach Pearson, who had four hits in the opening series, could help jumpstart the Tribe’s offense.
As for the Maryland offense, there is no need for a jumpstart. Through three games, the Terps have put up 20 runs with Marty Costes and Nick Dunn once again leading the charge. Costes has been fantastic early as the new leadoff hitter, batting .308. Dunn has launched three homers already this season, after hitting five all of last season.
New additions Taylor Wright and Randy Bednar have also been key in the Terps’ strong start on offense. Wright, the junior transfer, racked up five hits in the opening series while freshman Bednar had four of his own.
The game will be a rematch of last year’s back and forth contest that saw the Terps come out on top 9-8. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Williamsburg, Virginia on Wednesday, Feb.
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