Baseball Drops Back & Forth Finale at Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The lead changed hands four times across the sixth through eighth innings as Maryland rallied to take a back and forth series finale, defeating Purdue Baseball 10-9 Sunday.

The Boilermakers (12-6, 3-3 Big Ten) led 5-0 entering the bottom of the fifth but were unable to hold on to the lead and complete the three-game series sweep.

Purdue hit four home runs Sunday and 10 long balls in the series. Ali Banks and Brandon Rogers went deep to left field to open the seventh and eighth innings. Banks hit a game-tying blast and Rogers’ homer gave the Boilers a 9-8 lead.

The Terrapins (11-8, 1-2 Big Ten) strung together four singles and an RBI fielder’s choice to score twice in the bottom of the eighth and retake the lead. Two of the four hits were of the infield variety, including a two-out RBI infield single to third base off the bat of Ty Kaunas, who dove in head first at first base.

Like Banks and Rogers, CJ Richmond and Dylan Drake both hit their second home runs of the series Sunday. Richmond connected for a two-out, two-run shot in the first inning and Drake hit a solo shot the following frame. Banks and Drake hit safely in all three games of the series.

Purdue’s 10 home runs in the series were its most in a weekend since hitting 11 during the 2023 season-opening series vs. Holy Cross in Sugar Land, Texas.

Starting pitcher Jarvis Evans posted four consecutive zeros to begin the game, working 4 2/3 innings of two-run ball. The runs came on a home run by Jordan Crosland as Evans faced the UMD leadoff man for a third time.

Maryland went on to score in each of the final four innings in which it batted. The Terps scored four times on four singles, a walk and an error in the sixth inning, taking their first lead at 6-5.

Jackson Bessette delivered the big hit in Purdue’s three-run seventh inning, a two-out, two-run single that gave the Boilermakers an 8-6 lead. The line drive hit off the glove of a leaping Kaunas at shortstop and caromed into left center.

Purdue used six pitchers Sunday, with four of the five relievers making their second appearance of the series. Trevor Kester-Johnson made a highlight-reel play when he speared a line drive off the bat of UMD’s 3-hole hitter and doubled off the runner at second for an inning-ending twin killing. Jackson Greer struck out the only batter he faced, coming back from a 3-0 count to finish off the bottom of the seventh with the go-ahead run on first base.

The Boilermakers are scheduled to be back in action Tuesday at Butler. Should the game get canceled due to temperatures in the mid-20s, Purdue would look to add a home game Wednesday. Big Ten play continues next weekend with Penn State paying a visit to Alexander Field.

STREAKS EXTENDED
• Brandon Rogers: 12-game on-base; 11-game on-base in Big Ten play (since April 27, 2025)
• Aaron Manias: 9-game on-base
• Ali Banks: 5-game hit
• Sam Flores: 5-game on-base

SERIES LEADERS AT THE PLATE
• Eli Anderson: 4-for-7, 2B, 3 RBI, BB, 2 R, SB
• Dylan Drake: 4-for-10, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB, HBP, 5 R
• Sam Flores: 5-for-13, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB, HBP, 3 R, SB
• Ali Banks: 5-for-13, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB, 4 R, SB
• Brandon Rogers: 4-for-11, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 4 R, Sac Bunt, SB
• CJ Richmond: 3-for-13, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 3 R