COLUMN: Maryland looked unbeatable. It’s time to regroup for Indiana baseball

Indiana baseball was swept in three video games at house this previous weekend for the primary time because the 2011 season. That’s additionally the primary time that’s occurred on the group’s latest, and present, stadium, Bart Kaufman Discipline, which opened in 2013.  

Maryland seemed unbeatable.  

​​Earlier than the collection, Indiana and Maryland have been separated by only one sport within the Large Ten standings — the Hoosiers in first place at 9-3 — the Terrapins at 8-4. Neither group had misplaced any of their 4 convention collection this season, whereas Indiana managed to brush one.  

Simply final season, the Hoosiers turned the primary eight-seed in Large Ten Event historical past to remove the one-seed, which was Maryland final Might. Now, the groups seemingly met as equals. Maryland gained Friday’s sport 13-2, Saturday 16-2, and Sunday’s finale, 14-8.  

Sure, Maryland outscored Indiana 29-4 to clinch the collection. The Terrapins produced 40 runs whole in two-midweek wins — albeit they confronted now-No. 100-plus ranked groups within the ranking share index — but, nonetheless exhibited their lineup’s experience and functionality.  

That persevered into the weekend. The defending Large Ten regular-season champs tallied 50 hits and 9 house runs throughout three video games. Junior shortstop Matt Shaw and senior infielder Nick Lorusso set the tone for the weekend with back-to-back house runs to start Friday’s contest.  

Maryland beginning pitchers senior Nick Dean and freshman Kyle McCoy totaled 14 innings, permitting three runs, within the first two video games. At the same time as Indiana plated seven runs towards Sunday starter, junior Jason Savacool, the Terps pounced on Indiana’s sophomore starter Ryan Kraft, and mainly each reliever after that, surging for seven runs throughout the ultimate three innings.  

Indiana head coach Jeff Mercer stated postgame Sunday, that when talking with Maryland’s head coach Rob Vaughn earlier than the sport, Vaughn revealed that his group hardly ever perfected a well-rounded collection efficiency, although they’re at all times succesful. Maryland dominated, repeatedly conveying that swagger, although Indiana competed nicely Sunday.   

Indiana will doubtless be absent from future regional internet hosting predictions. It’ll doubtless be at the very least a while earlier than the Hoosiers reemerge into Baseball America’s top-25 ballot, or floor on D1Baseball’s top-25 ballot for the primary time this season. However actually, does that matter? 

Indiana had gained seven-straight collection earlier than enjoying Maryland. The group reached 30 victories by April 23 this yr, solely successful 27 all of final season — together with the postseason. The Hoosiers ought to, and certain will, nonetheless be featured in NCAA Event projections. This yr most likely will mark Indiana’s first look within the NCAA postseason since 2019. In program historical past, Indiana has appeared 9 occasions within the NCAA Event.   

Sure, Indiana plummeted within the RPI, however is barely out of first place within the convention. Fortunately for the Hoosiers, they gained’t see Maryland for the rest of the common season. The convention race now is a nine-game dash, with Indiana simply two video games again from first.  

Maryland performed exceptionally nicely this weekend, and the sweep might slingshot them to win the common season. They have been projected to take action. The majority of Indiana’s lineup is younger, and the group wasn’t near chasing the primary place group within the convention by this time final yr.  

Now, they’ve that likelihood. If losses proceed to pile at Northwestern subsequent weekend, which is positioned final within the convention, that’ll badly diminish Indiana’s RPI, perhaps beginning the dialogue of late-season collapse. For now, It’s only one gloomy weekend.  

The Terrapins have been flawless, from pitchers having nice days, to their lineup that’d crush any pitch that missed its supposed spot. Indiana botched this weekend, particularly with the benefit of enjoying the Terps at house, however haven’t struck out fairly but. There’s nonetheless time.  

Dealing with Maryland’s lineup doubtless will refine Indiana’s pitching employees. It’s merciless, however useful. Indiana started the yr going 3-6 at Auburn, Texas, and the Keith LeClair Traditional, which featured then-No. 9 Jap Carolina. From there, the Hoosiers gained seven straight collection.