The offense was unavoidable in the near-four hour contest. It was the most runs for the Terapins squad in almost a month. With a 6-13 conference mark, Maryland ranks fourteenth in the Big Ten, but ranks top-five in the conference in hits, runs, RBIs and OPS which was in full effect as they dismantled six Spartan pitchers. 

MSU cut the Maryland lead to one in the sixth inning, but with a third of the game left and the sun setting, the Terps’ best bats were still well awake.

The game was another instance of MSU falling behind early and failing to mount the necessary comeback. MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said “It was a disaster.”

“We hit the first batter of the game, and it only got worse from there,” Boss said. “We walked too many guys. We hit too many guys. We gave up 17 hits and 18 runs. It's no way to win a ball game.”

The Spartans are right on the cusp of a another trip to the Big Ten Tournament after losing in the first round on a walk off to the eventual champion Nebraska last season. MSU is on the last line of the 12-team tournament championship in Omaha and holds a 1.5 game lead over Indiana in 13th. 

Holding MSU back from a higher spot in the standings is a conference worst offense. The Spartans rank last in the Big Ten in hits, runs, batting average, OPS, RBIs and OBP. The final result of this game was foreseen from the beginning. 

MSU will give Maryland another go Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at McLane Stadium while streaming on Big Ten Plus. 

MSU starting pitcher senior JD Greely took the mound almost as fast as he left after Maryland’s David Mendez and Devin Russell each launched 3-run home runs in the first two innings.

Maryland brought home 8 runs before the Spartans had a hit. The offensive onslaught forced MSU to burn through two pitchers quickly. Greely was replaced after the second blast by freshman Bobby Crane, who also only held the mound for an inning.

The MSU pitching staff combined to allow 18 earned runs, 17 hits, 202 total pitches, 6 hit batters and 5 walks, while striking out nine. It wasn't pretty on the bump for the Spartans pitching staff that owns a 6.05 ERA on the season. 

MSU’s top arm, sophomore Aidan Donovan, will take Saturday’s game two with a 3-2 record and 3.53 ERA. Donovan will hope to provide support on the mound for his team who has been struggling at the plate.

“This game has no bearing on tomorrow. Tomorrow’s game has no bearing on Sunday and, last Wednesday's game had no bearing on today,” Boss said. [Donovan] has done a great job for us all year long. He just needs to keep doing what he's been doing.”

Maryland was in control of all momentum until MSU put together five runs in their half of the third frame. RBIs came from Isaac Sturgess, who hit a soft line drive to left field, Noah Bright with a bloop to right, a Khamaree Thomas bunt turned into a two-run throwing error and a Ryan McKay sac fly.

MSU was on the heels of Maryland in the sixth after MSU’s top slugger senior Randy Seymour singled through the right side scoring Thomas. Two innings later though, Maryland didn’t want to keep it within punching distance anymore. The Terrapins put together four hits with seven batters reaching base to put this one out of reach for the Spartans.

“The efforts has never been an issue with these guys, and if it is, they come out of the ball game, and they know that," Boss said. "That's happened a couple times with a couple select guys, but overall, the efforts been there."