Terps Fall To Illini In Game One Despite Late Surge, 7-4

COLLEGE PARK, MD – Maryland baseball lost game one of its series against Illinois, 7-4, at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium on Friday. The Terps scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth as they surged late. 

Maryland is now 26-17 overall and 6-10 in conference play. Illinois improved to 24-13 and 11-2 in the Big Ten. 

Sam Hojnar hit a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, giving the Terps momentum heading into the later part of the game. It was his 10th home run of the season, tying Chris Hacopian for the team lead. The home run also tied his season-best output last season at Iowa.  

But the Illini closed out the game despite RBI singles by Elijah Lambros and Eddie Hacopian in the ninth. Hacopian went 2-for-5 with two RBIs. 

 

B9| Terps get another run home on an RBI single by Eddie Hacopian

Terps 4

ILL 7#DirtyTerps pic.twitter.com/A17qbIOy4d

— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) April 26, 2024

Andrew Johnson and Nate Haberthier pitched strong relief outings. Johnson struck out two batters and allowed just two hits. Haberthier went two innings and struck out two batters while allowing one hit. 
 

B6| Sam Hojnar leaves the yard

Terps 2

ILL 6#DirtyTerps pic.twitter.com/ygo9yqrNSV

— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) April 26, 2024

Breaking Down The Action

• Illinois took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth with an RBI single. 
• Another RBI single in the second inning allowed the Illini to lead 2-0. 
• Maryland got on the board in the bottom of the third with an RBI groundout by Eddie Hacopian. 
• A single to center field and a passed ball allowed three runners to score for Illinois in the fourth. It took a 5-1 advantage.
• Coltin Quagliano hit a solo home run in the sixth for Illinois to lead 6-1. 
• Sam Hojnar hit a solo home run in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead to 6-2.
• The Illini got the run back in the seventh with an RBI single.
• Elijah Lambros and Hacopian hit RBI singles to keep Maryland alive in the bottom of the ninth. But the Terps lost 7-4.  

In The Record Books

• Kevin Keister drew one walk and now has 108 in his career. He broke a tie with LaMonte Wade (2013-15) for fourth in program history. Maxwell Costes (2019-22) is third with 116 in his career. 

Numbers To Know 

• 20: Sam Hojnar has 20 career home runs in his career, including 10 this…