Maryland baseball mercy-ruled in rubber match at Nebraska

The Terps fell behind early and never put up much of a fight thereafter.

After a blowout 11-2 win on Saturday, Maryland baseball earned a chance to win its first series in almost a month. But those dreams of a series win died quickly on Sunday.

Maryland lost to Nebraska, 16-4, in a game that ended after the seventh inning due to mercy rule.

Terps freshman Joey McMannis took the ball, but was punished early. Nebraska got to him in the first inning when Tyler Stone crushed a two-run home run to right field.

Maryland briefly answered in the top of the second, with Kevin Keister hitting an opposite-field solo home run. That was one of the only positive moments for the Terps, who watched the Cornhuskers pull away.

In the bottom of the second, McMannis earned a strikeout but the ball got past catcher Devin Russell, allowing a run to score. Nebraska then plated two more runs when Cayden Brumbaugh and Riley Silva hit RBI singles.

Now in dangerous territory, the wheels fell off for Maryland in the fourth inning, when Nebraska added five runs. Three straight hits to start the inning ended McMannis’ day, and Evan Smith only faced three batters before he too was pulled.

Sunday was the worst start of McMannis’ young college career. In three-plus innings, he gave up eight earned runs and eight hits. McMannis wasn’t helped by suspect defense behind him, but his effectiveness was minimal nonetheless.

With Ryan Van Buren now on the mound, Nebraska continued to pile it on, extending its lead to 11-1. Maryland would score three in the sixth inning, but that was all it could muster.

To add insult to injury, Maryland freshman reliever Duke McCarron had to exit in the sixth inning, injured after throwing just five pitches.

With Hunter Baynes and Meade Johnson coming in after, Nebraska scored five more runs to make it 16-4.

Three things to know

1. The mercy rule came into effect. Sunday’s game ended after the seventh inning, with Maryland trailing by 12. It was the first time this season the Terps have been subject to the mercy rule.

2. McMannis wasn’t his usual self. McMannis has been Maryland’s most reliable starter this season, but he did not bring his A-game on Sunday.

3. Bullpen struggles continue. Maryland’s bullpen combined for only three innings but gave up eight earned runs.

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