Thrilling Finish: Terps Defeat Gophers 11-10 to Complete Series Sweep – University of Maryland Athletics

Maryland Baseball Sweeps Minnesota in Thrilling Series

Maryland baseball celebrated a big win over Minnesota, clinching their first conference series sweep this season with a nail-biting 11-10 victory. This marks a significant moment, as it’s the Terps’ first road sweep since 2023 against Indiana. With this win, Maryland improved their overall record to 26-27 and their Big Ten record to 11-16, gearing up for the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.

The Terps jumped ahead early. In the second inning, Elijah Lambros hit a two-run single, giving Maryland a quick 2-0 lead. Minnesota responded by scoring in the same inning, but Maryland expanded their lead to 9-1 by the sixth inning, thanks to an 8-0 run.

However, the Gophers fought back, narrowing the gap to just one run in the eighth. Ryan Van Buren came to the rescue, pitching the final two innings without allowing any runs and securing the save.

Eddie Hacopian starred offensively, achieving a career-high four hits, scoring four runs, and driving in two runs. One of his hits was a solo home run, marking his ninth this season. This ties his career single-season record and brings his career total to 26 home runs. The Terps have now hit 86 home runs this season, ranking as the fourth highest in Maryland history. They are just two homers away from breaking into the top three, a record set in 1985 with 88 homers.

Not to be outdone, Aden Hill and Paul Jones II also contributed with two RBIs each. Hill collected his runs through a groundout and a hit-by-pitch, while Jones had a double and a groundout to drive in his runs.

On the mound, Omar Melendez threw five innings, giving up six runs on six hits, striking out four batters along the way. He earned his second victory of the season.

Social media was abuzz after the game, with fans celebrating the Terps’ impressive showing on platforms like Twitter. The team used the hashtag #DirtyTerps to highlight their efforts and build excitement.

Key Performances

• Eddie Hacopian: 4 hits, 4 runs, 2 RBIs. Tied for the most home runs in a season (9).
• Omar Melendez: Pitched 5 innings, striking out 4 batters.
• Ryan Van Buren: Secured the save, keeping the Gophers scoreless in the final frame.

Historical Highlights

Hacopian’s performance has also catapulted him into Maryland baseball records. He now has 227 career hits, ranking sixth in program history, just four hits shy of fifth place. His run-scoring record has also improved, placing him fifth overall with 162 career runs.

Maryland fans can look forward to the team’s next challenge as they prepare to host Rutgers on May 15. The first pitch is set for 6 PM, and the game will be available on Big Ten Plus and the Maryland Baseball Network.

This series sweep showcases Maryland’s potential as they aim for a strong finish to the season. With impressive performances and records on the line, the excitement continues to build as they head into their final series of the regular season.

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