Maryland baseball’s offense broke out Friday night, scoring double-digit runs for the first time since March 21 in a 15-7 victory over Nebraska.
Marty Costes had his best game of the year, totaling two home runs, four hits and five RBIs. With every game being crucial for Maryland’s Big Ten tournament chances, a Costes hot streak would be a warm welcome.
Costes started Maryland off with a home run in the first, his fifth of the year. Next inning, Zach Jancarski singled and Taylor Wright walked to lead off the frame, and a Randy Bednar double and Justin Morris sac fly brought them in for a 3-0 lead.
In the third inning, Costes clubbed his second homer of the day deep over the left field wall, extending Maryland’s lead to four.
Lincoln, don't you love the Marty Party?
— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) May 5, 2018
Absolute tank from Costes. His second of the game. #DirtyTerps pic.twitter.com/9VKR2vonMf
However, Nebraska cut into that lead in the bottom of the inning. With a man on first, Jancarski lost a fly ball in the sun, allowing the ball to roll to the wall. Nebraska left fielder Mojo Hagge ended up with an RBI triple on the play, which was followed by a Scott Schreiber sac fly, cutting Maryland’s lead to 4-2.
In the sixth inning, Maryland got those two runs back. Costes walked and Will Watson was hit by pitch, and they each moved up a base on a Jancarski groundout. Then, Taylor hit a ground ball to second base, but Zac Repinski’s throw to home gets away, allowing both Costes and Watson to score.
Nebraska starer Matt Waldron left after the sixth inning, allowing six runs—five earned—on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. He was replaced by his twin brother Mike, but Maryland welcomed the change. To lead off the seventh, the Terps scored two runs as AJ Lee doubled, Nick Dunn tripled and Costes singled. After Jancarski singled, Taylor Wright smoked a ball over the right field wall, making the score 11-2 after the top of the seventh.
Taylor Wright... OUT OF THE STADIUM!
— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) May 5, 2018
Three-run blast. 11-2. #DirtyTerps pic.twitter.com/LKfXvf4HC6
Mark DiLuia pitched well, going six strong innings. He only allowed two runs on four hits with four walks and four strikeouts. The righty has settled in as a solid contributor for this rotation, giving Maryland a chance to win every game, especially as the Friday starter these past few weeks.
Ryan Hill came in to relieve DiLuia, but he didn’t get much help from his defense. Maryland allowed two routine fly balls to drop, one when Jancarski lost a ball in the lights and one on what seemed like a miscommunication between Costes and Lee. Add in a Jesse Wilkening RBI double, and Nebraska cut the lead to 11-4 after seven.
Once again, Maryland bounced back in the next inning, scoring four total runs. Five Terps runners reached base before Nebraska recorded an out, including a Dunn two-run double and Costes two-run single.
Hill came back out for the eighth, but loaded the bases with one out, prompting Rob Vaughn to go to Mike Vasturia to clean up the damage, as the righty escaped the inning without allowing a run to score. Vasturia started the ninth as well, but he allowed a three-run homer in the inning. Alec Tuohy finished the game off, getting two strikeouts to end the game.
Maryland looks to build off this strong performance against Nebraska on Saturday. The Terps and Cornhuskers are scheduled for a 3:05 p.m. ET first pitch.