Maryland baseball continues to spiral in 11-1 defeat to Northwestern

The Terps clinched a second straight series defeat.

Maryland baseball hit a new low Saturday when it suffered its third straight series defeat, dropping a second game to conference-worst Northwestern in dominating fashion, 11-1.

Just a few weeks ago, Maryland was rolling, seeing its Big Ten series winning streak extend to 23. Now, the Terps have lost eight of their past 10 games and sit at 4-7 in conference play.

Northwestern entered this series on a 10-game losing streak and ranked No. 105 in RPI. Suddenly, it’s on the verge of sweeping the defending Big Ten champions.

After blowing a lead Friday night, Maryland seemed primed to bounce back and snap a three-game losing streak. Instead of being aggressive and looking like the powerhouse it was at the beginning of the season, the Terps put up just one run.

Logan Koester, who once looked like the Terps’ ace, continued to struggle in his start. He gave up a lead-off home run and it only got worse from there.

Northwestern tacked on another run in the second inning and an additional two in the fourth.

When the game really got out of control, though, was in the fifth inning. After an error by Eddie Hacopian, the Wildcats scored a fifth run before Koester surrendered a two-run single.

Koester finished his outing surrendering nine runs — five earned — and seven hits in 4 ¹⁄₃ innings.

Nate Haberthier relieved Koester but also struggled, giving up four runs while registering a sole out.

Andrew Johnson was the only Maryland pitcher to show composure, closing out the game with 3 ¹⁄₃ scoreless frames. He allowed just one hit.

Maryland avoided a shutout with two-outs in the ninth when Alex Colarco hit an RBI double. The Terps left eight runners on base Saturday.

Maryland was predicted to finish at the top of the conference this season; it’s now in real danger of missing out on the Big Ten tournament.

Three things to know

1. A new low. Maryland is spiraling, having suffered four straight losses against teams each with a poor RPI rank.

Head coach Matt Swope’s squad needs to generate something positive, and needs to do it soon.

2. Koester continued his poor play. Maryland’s best pitcher at the beginning of the year has now been charged with three straight while seeing his ERA balloon to 5.36.

3. The bats went silent. The Terps narrowly avoided getting shut out for the first time since March 2021. Northwestern has the highest team ERA in the Big Ten, yet the Terps have only managed six runs in two games.

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