The Terps, needing to get back to their winning ways, face the Big Ten’s worst team.
Having lost six of its last eight games — the last two being upset losses in midweek matchups — Maryland baseball needs to get back on track.
The Terps will have a good shot to do so when they play Northwestern in a three-game series this weekend. The Wildcats have lost their last 10 games and are yet to win a Big Ten contest this season.
Friday’s game will be at 4 p.m. ET, while Saturday and Sunday’s games will both start at 2 p.m. ET. All three games will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
Northwestern Wildcats (10-19, 0-6 Big Ten)
2023 record: 10-40, 4-20 Big Ten
Northwestern has had a less than ideal season, but has already matched its win total from last year. That being said, Northwestern’s start to Big Ten play has been difficult, to say the least. The Wildcats were swept in their first two conference series by Nebraska and Penn State.
Hitters to watch
Bennett Markinson, junior catcher/first baseman, No. 9 — Markinson leads the Wildcats with a .336 batting average. He has 22 RBIs and three home runs on the season.
Jackson Freeman, freshman outfielder, No. 12 — Freeman is Northwestern’s top home run hitter, with six already this season to help him lead the team in RBIs (23). Freeman also has a .293 batting average and a .999 OPS.
Owen McElfatrick, sophomore infielder, No. 8 — McElfatrick has been an impact player for Northwestern. He has a .317 batting average, 19 RBIs and four home runs this year.
Pitchers to watch
Matt McClure, senior right-hander, No. 18 — McClure has made two starts and nine appearances this season. He has a 2-2 record with a 4.28 earned run average in 27 ⅓ innings this season.
Kyle Potthoff, graduate right-hander, No. 37 — Potthoff has made eight starts in 10 appearances, including a start last Saturday. He owns a 5.15 ERA in 36 ⅔ innings this season.
Garrett Shearer, freshman right-hander, No. 30 — Shearer started last Sunday but has only made two starts this year. He is 1-7 with an 8.10 ERA in 30 innings this season.
Strength
Not walking batters. The Wildcats have walked fewer batters than their opponents this season, only issuing 122 free passes.
Weakness
Pitching. Northwestern’s team ERA is 7.62, the worst in the Big Ten. The Wildcats have given up 220 total runs on the year.
Three things to know
1. An opportunity to rebound. Maryland has struggled mightily over the past two weeks, but has an opportunity to get back on track against one of the worst teams in the Big Ten.
2. Pitching needs to be better. Maryland has given up 93 runs in its last nine games. A good pitching weekend would go a long way to improve the team’s confidence.
3. Same rotation. Last weekend, Terps head coach Matt Swope committed to his weekend rotation of Kenny Lippman, Logan Koester and Joey McMannis, despite recent struggles. McMannis has been Maryland’s best starter of late and will pitch again on Sunday.