The Terps look to build momentum in Big Ten play.
Maryland baseball continues Big Ten play this weekend as it takes on Illinois in a key conference series. The Terps (14-15, 3-6) will play the Fighting Illini in Champaign, Illinois, looking to gain ground in the competitive Big Ten standings.
Maryland has yet to win a three-game weekend series this season, most recently dropping two games to Northwestern.
Friday’s game will begin at 7 p.m., Saturday’s game will start at 4 p.m. and the first pitch is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday. All three games will stream on Big Ten Plus.
Illinois Fighting Illini (15-11, 4-5 Big Ten)
2024 record: 35-21, 18-6 Big Ten
Head coach Dan Hartleb leads Illinois in his 20th season. He holds a 567-419-1 record, making him the winningest coach in program history. The Illini won the Big Ten regular season title last year and have reached the NCAA Tournament five times under Hartleb’s leadership.
Similar to Maryland, Illinois has struggled a bit in weekend series, winning one of its three against Big Ten opponents.
Hitters to watch
Nick Groves, junior outfielder, No. 29 — Groves leads the team with a .357 batting average and a .529 on-base percentage, providing a consistent presence at the top of the lineup. He transferred from Niagara in the offseason, where he was an All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference second-team selection in 2024.
Jack Zebig, junior infielder, No. 2 — A power threat, Zebig is batting .353 with six home runs and 33 RBIs. A Marryville transfer, Zebig is impressing in his first season in orange.
Collin Jennings, sophomore outfielder, No. 38 — Jennings also adds power to the lineup, batting .345 with six home runs and 24 RBIs. He appeared in just 11 games as a freshman.
Pitchers to watch
Zach Bates, sophomore, left-handed pitcher, No. 45 — A bright spot in the bullpen, Bates has a 2.61 ERA over 10.1 innings pitched. He appeared in 13 games for Iowa Central Community College last season.
Ben Plumley, junior, right-handed pitcher, No. 40 — Plumley has a 5.88 ERA and battled command problems this season, issuing 38 walks in 66.2 innings and seven starts.
Tyler Schmitt, junior, right-handed pitcher, No. 13 — Schmitt has struggled this season as well, posting a 5.83 ERA in 33 innings and seven starts.
Strength
Lineup depth. Illinois has a deep lineup that can quickly put runs on the board, with seven players hitting above .300 and a strong ability to hit for power with 41 home runs.
Weakness
Pitching. The Illini’s starting rotation has been shaky and their bullpen has struggled to close out games, leading to a 6.75 team ERA.
Three things to watch
1. Late-inning display. Both teams have suffered from shaky bullpens at times, which means late-game heroics could be a key factor in the series, especially if Maryland wants to win it.
2. A statement series. With both teams hovering around the middle of the Big Ten standings, this series could potentially set the tone for the rest of conference play. A strong weekend could be a turning point in the season.
3. Can Maryland’s bats stay hot? The Terps’ offense has shown flashes of dominance, but consistency has been an issue. Facing an Illinois pitching staff with a high ERA could be a prime opportunity for Maryland to string together strong offensive performances.