MM 5.9: Maryland baseball scuffles in 5-3 loss to Rutgers

TL;DR

Maryland baseball lost 5-3 to Rutgers, struggling offensively with only three runs scored. Cristofer Cespedes pitched well, allowing just one earned run over seven innings, but the Terps' errors and lack of run support contributed to their defeat.

Key points

Maryland lost 5-3 to Rutgers in a Big Ten baseball game.
Cristofer Cespedes pitched seven innings, allowing one earned run.
Maryland's offense struggled, scoring only three runs.
The Terps committed three errors during the game.
Maryland is currently last in the Big Ten with a 6-19 record.

Maryland TerrapinsRutgers Scarlet KnightsCristofer Cespedes

Offense has rarely been the leading problem during Maryland baseball’s shaky 2026 season. The Terps boast the second-most runs scored in the Big Ten and are tied for 20th nationally. But Friday’s game against Rutgers saw Maryland’s bats go silent. The Terps scored only three runs, including just one through the first six innings, leading to their 5-3 loss at Bainton Field to begin a critical Big Ten series. While Jordan Crosland and Bud Coombs combined for six hits, the rest of Maryland’s offense failed to make a similar impact. The other hitters in the Terps’ batting order logged just two hits in their 27 plate appearances. Those offensive struggles overshadowed another stellar outing from Cristofer Cespedes. The 6-foot-5 right-hander allowed just one run in his previous start despite the last-minute notice — he found out hours before first pitch after Logan Hastings was scratched with an illness. Cespedes was just as dominant on Friday. He went seven innings and punched out seven hitters. Despite conceding five runs, only one was earned. Cespedes has now allowed just one earned run across his last nearly 19 innings of work. It didn’t start out promising, though. After retiring the first two batters, Brayden Martin’s throwing error kept Rutgers alive in the opening frame. The Scarlet Knights quickly pounced. Matt Chatelle and Ryan Jaros smashed consecutive home runs to open a three-run lead. But Cespedes settled back in. The sophomore sent down nine of the ensuing 11 hitters to keep Rutgers off the board over the next three innings. Still, he didn’t get much run support. Devin Russell and Crosland ripped back-to-back extra-base hits before Martin’s sacrifice fly plated Maryland’s opening run. That was the Terps’ lone score until its late-inning surge. While Jack Sweeney’s infield hit plated Rutgers’ fourth run in the fifth, Maryland’s second error — a misfired pickoff attempt from Cespedes — allowed Tyler Wiltsey to advance into scoring position. Coombs attempted to will the Terps back into the game. He clobbered a 396-foot bomb with two outs in the seventh inning. Coombs wasn’t done just yet. The standout freshman outfielder drove in Ty Kaunas in the ninth inning for his third hit of the game. But Coombs was stranded in scoring position after Aden Hill and Russell rolled over a pair of routine grounders, ending Maryland’s comeback effort. The ending highlighted a looming theme from the Terps’ defeat; they were just 2-for-12 with runners on base and 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position. Maryland left Crosland and Martin standing at second base in the third and eighth innings. Still, three costly errors didn’t help. Those mistakes allowed Rutgers to put traffic on the basepaths and ultimately contributed to four of its five runs scored. The Terps entered Friday’s game with the 35th-worst fielding percentage in the country and the worst clip in the Big Ten. With five conference games remaining, Maryland’s chances of reaching the Big Ten Tournament are slim. The Terps sit in last place with a 6-19 record, but have opportunities to make up ground on Rutgers, the current last team in the field.

Q&A

What were the key reasons for Maryland's loss to Rutgers in baseball?

Maryland's loss was due to offensive struggles, committing three errors, and failing to capitalize with runners on base.

How did Cristofer Cespedes perform in the game against Rutgers?

Cristofer Cespedes pitched seven innings, allowing five runs but only one earned, and struck out seven batters.

What is Maryland baseball's current standing in the Big Ten after the loss to Rutgers?

After the loss, Maryland baseball sits in last place in the Big Ten with a 6-19 record.

How many runs did Maryland score against Rutgers, and who contributed to the offense?

Maryland scored three runs, with Jordan Crosland and Bud Coombs combining for six hits, while the rest of the team managed only two hits.

MM 5.9: Maryland baseball scuffles in 5-3 loss to Rutgers

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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MM 5.9: Maryland baseball scuffles in 5-3 loss to Rutgers

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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