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Maryland Baseball: Terps are really hitting their stride

By Chris Bengel

Mar 30, 2015; Spokane, WA, USA; Maryland Terrapins mascot, Testudo, waves the school flag before a game against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during the first half in the finals of the Spokane regional of the 2015 women's NCAA Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2015; Spokane, WA, USA; Maryland Terrapins mascot, Testudo, waves the school flag before a game against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during the first half in the finals of the Spokane regional of the 2015 women's NCAA Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Maryland baseball team didn’t get off to the best start in 2017.

After losing five of their first six games, the Terrapins have rattled off eight consecutive wins.

Maryland capped off a brilliant week by sweeping Bryant in a series in which they outscored their opponents by a 20-3 margin. This capped off a week in which the Terps were victorious in all five of their contests.

The Terps lead the Big Ten in on-base percentage (.412) and rank fourth in the Big Ten in batting average (.279). The team boasts four batters that are hitting .300 or better in Marty Costes, Brandon Gum, Zach Jancarski, and Don Maynard.

Costes leads Maryland with a .364 average, two home runs, nine RBIs, and 12 runs scored.

Maryland has also gotten solid production from their pitching staff.

Opponents are currently hitting just .262 against the Terps. Part of the reason for that has been the Maryland pitchers getting a significant number of strikeouts.

Maryland has recorded 122 strikeouts, which is good for third in the Big Ten. The Terps have tallied 35 of those punchouts with the batter looking.

The Terps have also issued the third-fewest walks (45).

In addition, Maryland pitchers have recorded three wins, which is tops in the conference. Maryland and Michigan are the only two Big Ten teams that have yet to have a loss to their credit.

Coming into the season, it was clear that it was going to be a changing of the guard. Former staff ace Mike Shawaryn was drafted by the Boston Red Sox and junior right-hander Brian Shaffer would step into his role.

Shaffer has been impressive thus far, posting a 1-1 record with a 2.19 ERA in 24.2 innings. Freshman left-hander Tyler Blohm has been solid as well with a 2-1 record and a 2.45 ERA in 18.1 innings.

Through 14 games, the Terps have posted a 9-5 record, which includes a victory over then-ranked No. 6 North Carolina State in the Irish Classic. At this point last season, Maryland had a 6-8 record with their only multiple-game winning streak being two games.

Next: Terps get pretty favorable draw in West Region

After missing the NCAA Tournament a season ago, Maryland is definitely getting off to a much better start. If they can keep it up heading into Big Ten play, this could be a special year for John Szefc’s program.

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