Terps secure ‘Victory Royale’ over Illinois in second game of doubleheader

For the second game of Maryland’s doubleheader against Illinois on Friday, the team had a promotion theme focused around the incredibly popular game Fortnite: Battle Royal. The night included a “bush race”, giveaways and many more activities featured around different aspects of the third-person survival based game.

It seemed as if the theme awoke the Terps players after a rough first game, as the team exceeded in all phases of the game en route to a 7-1 win over the Illini. In Fortnite terms, Maryland secured a Victory Royale

“Everybody loves Fortnite, that’s really like all we talk about,” said catcher Justin Morris. “Sometimes guys take Fortnite more serious than baseball.”

This proved true in the second when, moments after the fan finished drinking his cup of a mock potion from the game, the Maryland dugout, who are big fans of the game themselves, erupted in cheers. The lineup then scored four runs on five hits in the inning off Illinois starter Ryan Schmitt.

“Shoot, we might need more of that chugging of whatever was going on up in the stands up there,” said head coach Rob Vaughn.

Schmitt only lasted 3 ⅔ innings in his first career start, allowing six runs on eight hits.

A three-run blast from catcher Justin Morris punctuated the second-inning outburst for the Terps. The senior, who entered the game with a .155 batting average, had his best offensive output of the season. In addition to his first home run of the season, Morris added two doubles on the night.

“He has a ton of power in him and stuff, just to see him show a flash of it today is awesome,” said pitcher Tyler Blohm. “I think there’s a lot more to come for that guy, he’s something special.”

Maybe more impressive than his performance at the plate, was his one behind it. Morris caught all 18 innings of action during the two games on Friday.

“To me, J-Mo is the player of the entire day,” said Vaughn.

Kevin Biondic also had a strong day at the plate adding three knocks and an RBI. Taylor Wright, Zach Jancarski, Marty Costes and Chris Alleyne all picked up hits as well.

The Terps’ starter Tyler Blohm was another valuable player in the battle against the Illini. The sophomore left-hander dominated a strong lineup, going 6 ⅓ innings and allowing one run while striking out nine batters.

“He did an unbelievable job right there,” Vaughn said about his starter. “Just a very good start overall for him against a very very dangerous offense.”

Maryland reliever John Murphy took over for Blohm, going 2 2/3 innings and giving up no runs to secure a victory for the Terps.

Bren Spillane, who entered the contest batting .489, was held hitless on the night. Blohm punched Perfect Game’s Mid-Season Player of the Year three times.

“That’s a guy that we looked at a lot over the midweek,” said Blohm. “I think the biggest thing was keeping him off balance the whole game.”

Spillane would later exit the game after the cleat of Marty Costes accidentally spiked his right ankle as Costes ran out a ground ball. His status for Sunday is unknown.

With the series now knotted up at one game apiece, both teams get an off day tomorrow due to some potentially nasty conditions expected to make their way to College Park.

The series will resume on Sunday at 1 p.m., with Hunter Parsons getting the ball for Maryland in the rubber game.