The Terps did not score until the seventh inning.
After exploding for 12 runs in its first series-opening win in Big Ten play against Nebraska on Friday, Maryland’s offense struggled to put runs on the board Saturday.
Nebraska recorded 11 hits compared to the Terps’ eight, but took advantage of its runners on base. The Cornhuskers hit .280 with runners on, while Maryland went hitless in 14 at-bats. That made the difference, as Maryland fell, 7-2.
“We had plenty of opportunities with guys on there to push through,” head coach Matt Swope said. “You got to be able to punch back in some of those and put runs on the board.”
Sophomore Joey McMannis made his eighth start for Maryland (20-24, 6-14 Big Ten). He pitched 4.2 innings and allowed six hits, four extra-base hits, five earned runs and five walks. He held his own through four innings, but Nebraska (20-23, 8-12 Big Ten) figured McMannis out in the fifth inning, tagging him for three runs to end his day.
Sophomore Ty Horn started for Nebraska and had his best game of the season. Horn came in with a 7.15 ERA in 10 starts but never let Maryland’s offense gain momentum, allowing no runs on six hits and five strikeouts in six innings.
McMannis struggled with command in the first two innings. He walked three batters and hit one, while his only hit allowed drove in the Cornhuskers’ first run.
Maryland’s offense posed its first threat of the game in the third inning. Sophomore Brayden Martin reached on a single, while a throwing error on a pick-off attempt advanced him to third base. Horn forced a groundout to end the inning despite back-to-back walks to the Hacopian brothers.
Nebraska fought back with another run, as sophomore Case Sanderson ripped a double that rolled to the wall, allowing the runner from first base to score.
McMannis then unraveled in the fifth inning. He allowed three consecutive doubles, putting two more Nebraska runs on the board. This wouldn’t be all for the Cornhuskers — Sanderson delivered again with an RBI single to extend the lead to 5-0, ending McMannis’ day.
While Maryland’s bullpen did its job, senior Drew Christo struggled for the Cornhuskers in the seventh inning — even without allowing a hit. Christo first walked two batters and hit Eddie Hacopian to load the bases. Chris Hacopian then drove in Maryland’s inaugural run on a sacrifice bunt, but senior Alex Calarco struck out with runners in scoring position to end the inning.
Nebraska got the run back in the eighth inning; a single through the left side scored the runner on third base to make it 6-1.
Hollis Porter then led off the eighth inning with a solo home run for Maryland, but it couldn’t add any more runs.
Nebraska added insurance in the ninth inning, as Sanderson launched a solo shot to center field for his third RBI of the day. Maryland came to bat in the ninth inning but went down in order to seal the loss.
“The level of focus from every single person has to rise tomorrow,” head coach Matt Swope said. “We’ve lost every series, there’s no rhyme or reason.”
Three things to know
1. Missed opportunities on offense. Maryland put runners on base in every inning but could only turn eight hits into two runs.
2. The bullpen did its job. Maryland used three pitchers out of the bullpen, combining to go 4.1 innings and allow just two runs.
3. Maryland still searching for weekend wins. On Sunday, the Terps will attempt to win their first weekend series of the season. Maryland has lost all eight of its three-game swings.