Maryland baseball silenced by Ohio State, 7-0, sealing Buckeyes sweep

Maryland baseball turned to the bullpen four times in its series finale Sunday against Ohio State. As a whole, the Terps’ pitching staff walked 11 of the 42 batters they faced, only banking 10 strikeouts and allowing five hits. Maryland’s continued pitching struggles came with the offense leaving 12 runners left on base, costing it a 7-0 defeat and the series sweep.

Jackson Sirois became Maryland’s first baserunner in the bottom of the second, reaching on an error at first with two outs. Sirois stole second base three pitches later, but was left on base after Paul Jones II struck out swinging. Austin Weiss’ first career start on the mound left a lot to be desired.

In just 1 1/3 innings, the freshman committed a pitch clock violation and walked five batters, one of which brought home Ohio State’s first run of the day. Weiss also gave up the two-run single Kaczmar grounded to left field, putting the Buckeyes up by three, as well as a two-run Dane Harvey single to bring Ohio State to five runs on the afternoon. The Terps filled the bases in the top of the third after a single from Brayden Martin and walks from Ryan Costello and Jordan Crosland, but a three-pitch strikeout from Ohio State pitcher Pierce Herrenbruck to Ty Kaunas left everyone on base.

In the bottom of the fourth, Sirois committed another error for the Terps at third as strong winds blew Kaczmar’s left-bound hit from his glove. However, the sophomore grabbed the ball and chucked it towards second base for a 5-4 out to redeem himself. Ohio State’s Dane Harvey knocked the ball down the middle towards Mendez at second base in the same inning.