Maryland baseball currently has the longest losing streak in the Big Ten with five losses in a row, the most recent being an 8-inning blowout by No. 9 Virginia in a game the Terps stayed competitive in for a long stretch.
However, Maryland’s ranked run isn’t over yet. The Terps will take on No. 12 USC in Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium in College Park over the weekend. Friday’s game will tip-off at 6 p.m., Saturday’s game will start at 2 p.m. and the series will wrap on Sunday at 1 p.m. All three games
will stream on Big Ten Plus.
No. 12 USC Trojans (24-2, 8-1 Big Ten)
2025 Record: 37-23, 18-12 Big Ten
The Trojans are on course to have a very successful year. Head coach Andy Stankiewicz led the Trojans to their first NCAA regional appearance in 10 years last season, and with just two losses on the year so far, he seems prepared to do it again.
However, just like the Terps, USC is coming off of a ranked loss — a 12-4 defeat at home to No. 16 Oregon State. The Trojans are looking to get back on track.
Hitters to watch
Abbrie Covarrubias, junior infielder, No. 7 — Covarrubias has been an important member of the Trojans over the past three years. The junior is tied for second in the Big Ten — along with Maryland’s Brayden Martin — in stolen bases (10). Covarrubias currently has the most runs on the team with 24, three of which came against Washington on Saturday’s 5-0 shutout.
Kevin Takeuchi, junior infielder/outfielder, No. 8 — Takeuchi has logged the most hits (30) and the most RBIs (22) for the Trojans so far this season. The junior has also logged 21 runs and knocked 2 long balls out of the park. Takeuchi logged two runs in USC’s 14-4 blowout win over the Huskies on Sunday.
Maximo Martinez, sophomore right-handed pitcher/utility, No. 10 — In his 20 appearances with the Trojans this season, Martinez has posted 18 runs and 11 RBIs. The junior currently has a .319 batting average, the best on the team. Martinez put up two RBIs in USC’s Saturday victory.
Pitchers to watch
Mason Edwards, junior left-handed pitcher, No. 30 — Edwards is the only three-time Big Ten pitcher of the week through the opening two months of the year, having earned the title as recently as Monday. That is for good reason — the Los Angeles native has a 0.25 ERA, the best in the NCAA. In the Trojans’ 5-0 win over Washington on Friday, Edwards threw six runless innings, logging 12 strikeouts.
Grant Govel, sophomore right-handed pitcher, No. 95 — Edwards has just edged out Govel for most pitcher of the week awards, as the sophomore has two so far. Govel has the second-lowest ERA in the Big Ten at 0.69 while pitching for the most innings (39). In Saturday’s 7-2 win over the Huskies, Govel pitched for six innings, only allowing two runs.
Strength
Pitching. As a team, USC has the best ERA (2.22), strikeout record (274), and WHIP (0.99) in the Big Ten. Edward and Govel aren’t USC’s only pitching stars. Freshman Gavin Lauridsen was this week’s conference freshman of the week, and he has 4.2 scoreless innings. Thirteen of USC’s 17 listed pitchers have an ERA under 5 so far.
Weakness
Average batting. While the Trojans’ pitchers are stellar, their batting staff doesn’t quite hold up. If Maryland’s pitching staff is able to put up strong numbers from the mound, the Terps may be able to keep it close.
Three things to watch
1. First time out. The Terps and the Trojans have never played each other in baseball, despite being in the same conference for two years.
2. Light at the end of the ranked tunnel. Maryland’s series against USC is expected to be its last against a ranked opponent for the season, barring any major shifts in D1Baseball’s leaderboard. Any wins or competitive outings against the Trojans could set the Terps up to turn things around in the back half of the season.
3. Home field advantage. After five straight away game losses, the Terps are finally back in College Park. Maryland is 6-2 at home, having only lost to Purdue on March 13 and 14.
