The Terps open Big Ten play this weekend.
Maryland baseball (7-5) opens conference play this weekend at home against UCLA.
The Terps are coming off a strong weekend, winning three of four games against Princeton and then-No. 12 Wake Forest. They also beat James Madison Tuesday.
Friday’s game will start at 4 p.m., while Saturday’s contest will begin at 2 p.m. The series will end with a noon game on Sunday. All games will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
UCLA Bruins (10-3, 0-0 Big Ten)
2024 record: 19-33, 9-21 Pac-12
In his 21st season, head coach John Savage has built a strong program at UCLA, leading the team to 13 NCAA Tournament appearances and a College World Series title in 2013.
This season, the Bruins have showcased a balanced team with strong pitching and a production lineup, and are coming off a 22-5 win over Michigan in seven innings.
Hitters to watch
Roch Cholowsky, sophomore infielder, No. 1 — Cholowsky leads UCLA’s offense, batting .326 with 16 runs and 20 RBIs. He was named a second team freshman All-American by Perfect game last season after posting a .308 batting average win eight home runs.
Cashel Dugger, sophomore, catcher, No. 40 — With a .346 average, Dugger has nine hits, 11 home runs and eight RBIs in 26 at-bats. He started in just 28 games last year, hitting .233 with eight RBIs.
Dean West, sophomore outfielder, No. 36 — West leads the Bruins with 17 runs, but has just a batting average of .182 with 11 RBIs. He only made 12 starts last season, totaling a .295 batting average in 44 at-bats.
Pitchers to watch
Luke Rodriguez, sophomore right-handed pitcher, No. 34 — Posting a 0.63 ERA through 14.1 innings, Rodriguez has allowed just one earned run and four hits with 13 strikeouts this season. He has appeared in five games, starting in just one.
Justin Lee, sophomore right-handed pitcher, No. 20 — With a 0.00 ERA in 7 appearances and 6.1 innings pitches, Lee has allowed just one hit. He made 24 appearances and posted a 7.55 ERA last year.
Josh Alger, redshirt junior right-handed pitcher, No. 21 — Another pitcher with a perfect ERA, Alger has only given up one hit in 5.2 innings, while striking out five batters. Alger did not appear in a game his first three seasons at UCLA.
Strengths
Pitching depth. The Bruins have held opponents to a .227 batting average this season. The Bruins’ challenging rotation and strong bullpen provide a reliable foundation for their success this season, as four pitchers own a perfect ERA.
Weaknesses
Stolen bases. Despite playing 13 games this season — tied for the most of any Big Ten team — UCLA has stolen just 13 bags, 11th-most in the conference.
Three things to watch
1. A challenge for Maryland’s offense. Maryland’s offense thrives on power hitting, but UCLA’s elite pitching staff will test them. How well the Terps can generate runs against arms like Rodriguez and Lee will be crucial to their success.
2. The impact of West Coast travel. UCLA faces a challenging cross-country trip to Maryland, which could impact its performance. Adjusting to the time zone and environment will be crucial for the Bruins’ success.
3. Bullpen depth. UCLA has a strong bullpen, while Maryland can struggle with consistency in its bullpen. In close games, it will be interesting to see which team prevails.