Coach Swope Calls for Change After Opening Loss
Maryland baseball fell to a 13-3 defeat against Penn State in a seven‑inning contest that also served as the Terps’ tenth loss in a conference series opener. The result underscores a challenging start to the season for the program.
The Terps managed only three runs on the night, leaving twelve runners stranded across the lineup. While David Mendez produced a two‑run homer in the third inning, the offense never found a rhythm against Penn State’s pitching staff.
Penn State’s bats were relentless, with Jesse Jaconski launching a solo homer to extend the lead and contributions from Maddox McDonald and Michael Anderson helping to pull away. Maryland cycled through five pitchers, surrendering twelve earned runs in the process.
The loss also highlights a broader trend: the Terps have been held to fewer than four runs in thirteen of their fifty‑four games this season. Ryan Costello, meanwhile, remains the nation’s leader in grand slams with four to his name.
Head coach Matt Swope acknowledged the team’s struggles, emphasizing the need for improvement as the schedule progresses. ‘We have to find ways to execute when opportunities arise,’ Swope said, pointing to upcoming adjustments in both hitting and pitching.