Maryland baseball extended its winning streak to four games, defeating Rutgers, 4-3, in its weekend series opener in Piscataway, New Jersey.

The Terps benefited greatly from monster pitching performances by Omar Melendez and Kenny Lippman. A four-run sixth inning was all the Terps needed to get the victory on Friday.

The Scarlet Knights struck first in the opening inning when Ty Doucette hit an RBI single. That 1-0 lead would hold through the next three frames, as Melendez and Rutgers’ left-hander Justin Sinibaldi held their ground in the early going.

After allowing the one run in the first, Melendez proceeded to work four straight scoreless innings, continuously escaping tight jams. There was only one issue Maryland grappled with: Sinibaldi simultaneously held the Terps scoreless through five frames.

The Terps finally capitalized on a scoring opportunity in the sixth. The first two Terps up to bat got on base and Eddie Hacopian crushed a two-run double to bring in Devin Russell and Elijah Lambros. The Terps went on to score two additional runs in the sixth and extend their lead to three, courtesy of a Sam Hojnar RBI groundout and a Jacob Orr sacrifice fly.

Melendez notched two outs in the seventh inning before Rutgers’ clutch two-out hitting was put on full display. Doucette ripped off a two-run double, bringing Rutgers to within one run and chasing Melendez out of the game.

In his 6 ⅔ innings, Melendez gave up eight hits, three earned runs, walked three batters and struck out five. It was a solid showing in his first Friday night start for the Terps. He was immediately relieved by Kenny Lippman.

Lippman quickly got Maryland out of the seventh inning and worked a 1-2-3 inning in the eighth. He then proceeded to shut the door on the Scarlet Knights, pitching the final inning as well. On the evening, he allowed just two hits and earned the save for the Terps.

Three things to know

1. Melendez had a strong day. Maryland head coach Matt Swope made an interesting move on Friday. Melendez, who began the season in the bullpen and earned the start the last two Saturdays, took the Friday night role. The left-hander kept Maryland in the game, allowing the Terps to take the lead in the sixth.

2. Three straight Big Ten wins. For the first time this season, Maryland won three straight Big Ten contests. The Terps also won their first Friday game in over a month, the previous coming on March 29 against Michigan.

3. The sixth inning was all the Terps needed. Maryland put up four runs on Rutgers’ pitching in the sixth inning. After the Terps went scoreless through the initial five, the four runs in the sixth was all that was needed to seize the victory.

BALTIMORE — The 25th annual Maryland Film Festival is underway. 

Friday night, a film documentary more than five years in the making will premiere. 

It celebrates hip hop history – in particular Baltimore Club music, the vibrant scene birthed here in Charm City.

And believe it or not, it is more than just the hype. 

“Baltimore club is really like the soundtrack to our city,” said Baltimore music producer, arts advocate, and DJ, Marquis ‘ Mighty Mark’ Gasque.

He calls it the heartbeat of Charm City.

“Baltimore club is feeling its war is gritty. It’s in your face. It’s an escape from your problems,” said Mighty Mark. 

Baltimore entrepreneur and director Larry “Whaddup” Caudle is working to tell its story in his film – ‘More Than Hype’. 

It’s a project he began in 2017 alongside colleagues he met while on tour as a hype man.  

“I said you know what, let me stand on faith and get out there and tell the story,” said Larry ‘Whaddup’ Caudle the director and executive producer of ‘More Than Hype’. 

The Morgan State University graduate got his degree in social work and says he took the road less traveled, putting his degree and career as a hype man to work in a different way. 

“And that is exactly what I did socially working in my environment through this project that brings the community of Baltimore City together,”  Larry ‘Whaddup’ told WJZ.

From artists like Scottie B to Kevin Lyles, K Swift to Rod Lee, Caudle meshes the stories of the movers and shakers behind the Baltimore hip hop scene— from past to present.

“This film wasn’t just about music. It was a social project, figuring out how to bring communities, people, businesses, organizations, and talent together,” said Larry ‘Whaddup’.

The film weaves together a personal story of the soundtrack of our city’s,  all while finding a way to bridge the gap in a place with a solid but struggling music industry.

 “I wanted to empower the people, enlighten the people, and educate the people about our music,” said Larry ‘Whaddup’.

The film features music producer and art advocate Mighty Mark whose work has been featured in popular movies and shows like Insecure. 

 “I talked about Baltimore club music and how I’m trying to push the genre forward,” said Mighty Mark. 

His work recently featured in an advertisement for the popular sports drink, Lucozade, in the United Kingdom. Mighty Mark worked on the track titled ‘Roll Call’ alongside artists TSU Terry and TT The Artist. 

“Good music is good music no matter what. If you’re in Baltimore, if you’re in London,” said Mighty Mark. 

“I might have to do some other screenings and stuff in Baltimore but 3 in 1 I’m done now it’s time to hit the road. We got to go,” Larry ‘Whaddup’ explained. 

Larry ‘Whaddup’ told WJZ he could not have done this documentary with out the help of the artists, friends and family who helped make it happen. 

“Tell your stories and just don’t keep that creativity bottled up because creativity helps heal the world,” said Mighty Mark. 

Larry ‘Whaddup’ told WJZ he doesn’t know when the next showing will be yet, but stay tuned. For now, he said follow him and “More Than Hype” on social media for any announcements. 

The Baltimore Club Music Day is on June 17. 

“They can use this sound they can. They should embrace the sound,” Mighty Mark told WJZ. 

The Maryland Film Festival runs until May 5. For more information and other film showings, you can visit their website. 

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