After Game 1 against No. 1 UCLA ended in the seventh inning due to the run rule on Friday, Maryland baseball was out for revenge.
Maryland
Maryland baseball drops second straight conference series, falls 8-3 to No. 1 UCLA
Its bid for vengeance was strong, as it outhit the Bruins Saturday, 13-10. But it couldn’t keep up on the scoreboard.
The Terps ultimately fell to UCLA, 8-3, at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles. Maryland has now lost their second Big Ten series in a row after losing two out of three games against Purdue last weekend.
With two outs in the top of the first inning, catcher Rylen Stockton collected his 13th RBI of the season with a double to left field, giving Maryland a one-run head start.
But UCLA didn’t allow the Terps to hold any sort of lead for long.
In the bottom of the first, Bruins’ infielder Roman Martin tied the game with a double RBI. With two runners on base, Payton Brennan blasted a home run over the left field wall on his first pitch, making it a 4-1 game.
Maryland senior Aden Hill recorded his third home run of the season to give the Terps another run in the top of the second.
The Bruins responded quickly, extending their lead in the bottom of the third with a sacrifice fly to center field by Will Gasparino. That hit was followed by another RBI by Cashel Dugger, giving UCLA a four-run advantage.
Maryland scored its last run of the game in the top of the fourth inning, as redshirt junior Devin Russell launched his second double of the season to bring in the Terps’ third run.
With the bases loaded, sophomore right-handed pitcher Cristofer Cespedes took the mound in place of Evan Smith in the bottom of the fourth. After walking one runner to make it a 7-3 game, Cespedes closed the inning with a strikeout and fielder’s choice to third base.
Cespedes dominated the mound, holding the Bruins entirely scoreless until the eighth inning. The sophomore threw seven strikes and only allowed five walks through the 19 batters he faced.
The Terps created multiple scoring opportunities but struggled to follow through, recording 13 hits and only three runs. At least one of Maryland’s runners were left on base at the end of each inning aside from one.
Tensions began to rise in the eighth inning.
Maryland kicked off the frame with a walk, which was followed by a single by freshman Nate Hawton-Henley — his second hit of the game in his third start of the season.
UCLA inserted its third pitcher, Chris Grothues, with two runners on base. Grothues struck out Hill, but the Bruins replaced him with Cal Randall after he only threw four pitches. Randall recorded his first strikeout, but walked junior Brayden Martin to load the bases.
The Bruins were quick to replace Randall with their fifth pitcher of the game, Easton Hawk. David Mendez stepped up to the plate with hopes of bringing home at least one of the three runners on base. Instead, he grounded out to second base on his first pitch.
In the bottom of the eighth, Cespedes walked Phoenix Call before striking out Dean West. With one runner on base, Cholowsky blasted a double down the left field line, bringing Call home and making it an 8-3 game.
After walking another batter, Landon Edwards replaced Cespedes and recorded the final out with a strikeout.
Maryland had one last chance in the top of the ninth to bring in more runs after two walks, but it failed to do any significant damage.
The Terps will try to avoid the sweep during Game 3 on Sunday.
1. Maryland’s bullpen was much more reliable Saturday. During Game 1, Maryland’s bullpen hit six batters total — two were hit twice. While the Terps threw seven strikeouts on Friday and eight on Saturday, four fewer runs were allowed.
2. The Terps’ offense improved since Game 1. Maryland’s bats seemed to move a lot more on Saturday compared to Friday. The Terps recorded one more run than the day before, but also registered four more hits. The Terps were also more calculated while facing UCLA’s pitchers during Game 2, walking four more times than in Game 1.
3. Can Maryland avoid the sweep? On Saturday, the Bruins went through five pitchers to keep up with the Terps. Although Maryland lost by five runs, it was five fewer runs allowed than in Game 1, where they were destroyed 12-2 in a contest that ended in the seventh inning. If the Terps keep their bats moving, they may have a chance of avoiding the sweep. Sophomore Jake Yeager will take the mound for Game 3 — he has only lost one game out of his five starts.
Maryland
Annapolis rally aims to stop cuts to Maryland’s Developmental Disabilities Administration
Families and caregivers who rely on Maryland’s self-directed disability services program rallied at the State House on Tuesday, warning proposed budget cuts could threaten care for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.
Parents and advocates said the proposed reductions to Maryland’s Developmental Disabilities Administration, included in Gov. Wes Moore’s fiscal year 2027 budget plan, could have devastating consequences for families who depend on self-directed services to care for loved ones at home.
The self-directed model allows people with developmental disabilities and their families to hire and manage caregivers directly, often giving them more flexibility to keep loved ones at home and involved in the community.
“Catastrophic for families”
Christine Fifer, a parent who attended Tuesday’s rally at Lawyers Mall, said the proposed changes could push some families to the brink.
“Now that they are trying to take away the funding for the staff wages, I’m going to be forced to either put him in an institution now, and I’m pretty much filing for bankruptcy as we speak because of this situation,” Fifer said.
Fifer said her son, Eddie, requires round-the-clock care. She said she already took a major pay cut to stay home with him and worries the proposed cuts could make that arrangement impossible to maintain.
“It’s going to be catastrophic for families and most definitely for the participants,” she said.
Impact on caregivers and those needing care
Caregivers, parents, and advocates gathered in Annapolis to urge lawmakers to reconsider the proposed reductions, which they said would hit the self-directed program especially hard.
Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer B.J. Surhoff, whose son participates in the program, joined the rally and spoke about what self-direction has meant for families like his.
“It’s the difference between surviving and thriving,” Surhoff said.
Surhoff said people in the program should not be viewed simply as budget items.
“They’re not just a line item, they’re real people. We’re real families, and these are lives that are affected every single day,” he said.
Michelle Guy, a caregiver from Anne Arundel County, said those wage reductions would not just affect workers, but the people who depend on them.
“When you cut my wages, you’re not just cutting my paycheck, you’re cutting someone else’s access to the community, you’re cutting their independence,” Guy said.
Families at the rally said that without changes to the budget, some could lose workers, lose income or struggle to continue caring for loved ones at home.
Advocating for proposed cuts
Advocates said the proposed cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Administration total more than $126 million and could reduce wages for home-based caregivers.
Families and advocates said they want lawmakers to restore the funding before the budget is finalized. House and Senate lawmakers must agree on a final spending plan before the legislative session ends April 6.
Maryland
Easter events hitting MD Lower Shore, egg hunts, craft fairs and more
Take a tour of the Old City Hall and Firehouse in downtown Salisbury
Mayor Randy Taylor gives a tour of the Old City Hall and Firehouse that is back under city ownership.
From egg hunts to craft shows, there are plenty of fun-filled Easter events hitting the Lower Shore of Maryland in March and April.
Here’s a look at this year’s lineup.
Easter Jeep Hop at Salisbury Zoo
WHEN: March 28, 1 to 4 p.m.
Join the Salisbury Zoological Park for its Easter Jeep Hop, a free, family-friendly Easter celebration and fundraiser. The event will feature food trucks, music, raffles and ambassador animal appearances. The Easter Bunny will also be making a special appearance for photos and greetings.
Admission to the event is free. Decorated Jeeps will be stationed throughout the zoo for guests to visit, creating a candy-collecting experience similar to a traditional trunk-or-treat event. Participants can gather treats and more from participating vehicles, and vote in the Jeep Decorating Contest.
Easter Egg Hunt at SweetFrog
WHEN: March 28, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
A free Easter Egg Hunt will be held at sweetFrog at 2721 North Salisbury Boulevard in Salisbury. The first 48 little froggers, age 10 and under, for a free Easter Egg hunt will get to hunt the store for their egg and turn it in for a sweet treat. Parents are required to supervise their children at all times.
Trimper’s Opening Weekend Easter Egg Hunt
WHEN: April 4 at 12 p.m.; April 5 at 5 p.m.
Join Trimper Rides as it kicks off its 2026 season in Ocean City with a weekend full of family fun. Doors will open on the weekend of April 4-5 with two special Easter Egg Hunts for kids of all ages. Meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy a plethora of rides with a $25, 4-hour wristband.
Easter Egg Hunt at Northside Park
WHEN: April 4 at 11 a.m.
Children ages 2-10 and their families are invited to join the Easter Bunny for an egg hunt and treats at Northside Park in Ocean City. The cost to attend is $8 per child, and $6 per child for Ocean City residents. Advanced registration is encouraged as a limited number of participants is accepted.
Easter Art & Craft Show and Kids Fun Fair
WHEN: April 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; April 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Enjoy some fun at this year’s Easter Kids Fun Fair and Art & Craft Show at Ocean City’s Roland E. Powell Convention Center. The event will feature live entertainment, games, contests and a special appearance of Beanny the Easter Bunny. Admission cost is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $4 for students.
Berlin Spring Celebration
WHEN: April 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join Berlin for its free Spring Celebration featuring an Easter Egg Hunt at The Taylor House Museum, a colorful Easter Bonnet Parade and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Kids can search for hidden eggs at The Taylor House Museum, show off their creative bonnets and enjoy local artisan vendors.
SonRise Church Easter Eggstravaganza
WHEN: April 4, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join SonRise Church at 10026 North Main Street in Berlin for its upcoming, family-friendly Easter Eggstravaganza. The event, free to attend, will feature animals, food, face painting, inflatables, Egg Scrambles and much more for children of all ages.
Bubba Almony’s Easter Giveaway
WHEN: April 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bubba Almony will host an Easter giveaway for children at the Salisbury Moose Lodge #654 at 833 Snow Hill Road in Salisbury. The event, free to all who attend, will offer kid-friendly giveaways, free food to guests, and free haircuts for children courtesy of Primo Barber Shop.
Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.
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