All seemed to be going well for Maryland baseball eight innings into series-opening matchup on the road at Louisiana.
Ryan Costello’s three-run home run and David Mendez’s solo shot — his first as a Terp — brought his squad up early. The Ragin’ Cajuns stormed back to make things tight, but Paul Jones II’s two-run double in the sixth gave Maryland some insurance and Cristofer Cespedes kept Louisiana at bay in the seventh and eighth innings.
But then the floodgates broke. Cespedes walked two batters in a row — his first two walks of the season — and then gave up back-to-back singles. Still up two runs — but with the bases loaded — Matt Swope sent in right-hander Jayson Torres to close the night out.
Torres hit the first batter, then walked the second. Tie game. Right-hander Ryan Bailey came in hoping to salvage extra innings; but he walked the first and only hitter he faced. Louisiana rejoiced as it left Friday with a 7-6 win that was essentially handed to it in the final frame.
Maryland’s bullpen nightmare doesn’t take away from a strong outing from sophomore starter Lance Williams. The right-handed East Carolina transfer allowed just one run in 4 2/3 innings, posting five strikeouts and only one walk while allowing five hits.
Williams has now allowed just two runs in his 9 2/3 innings across two games as a Terp.
In other news
Maryland men’s basketball returns to Xfinity Center on Saturday for a matchup with Washington. Ryan Alonardo had the preview.
No. 2 Maryland men’s lacrosse hosts No. 12 Princeton Saturday for another marquee lacrosse matchup. Dylan Schmidt previewed the action.
No. 3 Maryland women’s lacrosse survived a scare from Saint Joseph’s, 17-15, on the second leg of two games in three days. Jude Wilkenfeld covered the game.
Maryland wrestling closed out its regular season Friday with a 20-19 win over Drexel.
No. 25 Maryland gymnastics squeaked out a win over Nebraska at Xfinity Center on Friday.
Maryland softball dropped both legs of its Friday doubleheader, with Virginia and Delaware.
Maryland track and field competed at the Navy Select Meet in Annapolis.
Boston College transfer defensive back Amari Jackson, who committed to Maryland football in January, officially signed.