The Maryland Terps (4-1) completed their second comeback of the season, defeating Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 7-5. With the win, the Terps start 1-0 in the 2024 Kleberg Bank College Classic.
Eddie Hacopian got things rolling with a leadoff double on the game’s first pitch. A few batters later – his brother – Chris Hacopian brought his brother home via a single. As a result, Maryland took a quick 1-0 lead in the first. Corpus Christi had some early success in the bottom of the frame and loaded up the bases with zero outs. However, they could only score two runs as they grounded into a double play. The Islanders scored two more in the fourth and expanded their lead to 4-1.
For the second game this season, the Terps started to rally late. Jacob Orr started the rally and hit an RBI single, driving in Devin Russell. Then, the Islanders made a pitching change with the Terps loading the bases. Sam Hojnar hit a two-run RBI single with the bases loaded, tying the game at four.
In the ninth inning, Eddie Hacopian hit an RBI single, and with Orr scoring, the Terps took the lead. Maryland didn’t let their foot off the gas pedal, and Hojnar hammered a two-run homer, giving the Terps a three-run lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Head coach Matt Swope put the ball in Trystan Sarcone’s hands at the bottom of the ninth quarter, and Sarcone got the job done, securing his first save of the season. On Friday night, Hojnar was one of the more impressive Terps players, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Hojnar has a hot start this season after transferring from Iowa last season.
Kenny Lippman got the start for Maryland and went five innings, allowing four runs and six hits and recording three walks against four strikeouts. However, Nate Haberthier earned the win for the Terps. Haberthier got out of two-bases-loaded jams in three innings.
“It’s awesome playing behind a guy like Nate.” “You can see from everywhere he has so much confidence on the mound. Bases loaded, both times, he was in there in big spots, and we didn’t have any doubts that he was going to do his job. He just has that confidence on the mound, and it’s really easy to play behind him in a situation like that.”
Sam Hojnar after the game
Next, Maryland plays their second game of the Kleberg Bank College Classic. They’ll face off against Pittsburgh this Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
