Rain Threatens Saturday Showdown Between Maryland, Troy

TROY, Ala. (Interstat) — The Maryland Terrapins look to continue their strong start to the season Saturday evening when they face the Troy Trojans in the second game of a weekend series at Riddle–Pace Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. under a forecast of 78-degree temperatures and rain.

The Terrapins (7-3) enter with momentum, having won seven of their last eight, including a 7-3 victory at Delaware on Wednesday. Troy (5-7) seeks consistency after a 1-4 stretch that included a 4-1 loss at Vanderbilt on Wednesday.

A player to watch for Maryland is reliever Landon Edwards, who was dominant in Wednesday’s win, pitching two perfect innings with two strikeouts. Over his last two appearances, spanning four innings, he has allowed just one hit, though four earned runs came in one outing against Delaware on Feb. 24.

Troy will counter with key bullpen arm Brock Tapper, who has been sharp recently. Tapper tossed 2 1/3 hitless innings with three strikeouts at Vanderbilt and has not allowed a hit over his last 5 2/3 innings of work, spanning two appearances.

Offensively, Maryland first baseman Ryan Costello is coming off a two-hit, two-RBI performance that included a home run against Delaware. The Terrapins’ lineup has produced 10 or more runs in four of their last five games.

Troy’s pitching staff, which held Vanderbilt to four runs, will be tested by that Maryland offense. The Trojans’ recent wins have been powered by pitching, edging Rutgers 2-1 on Sunday and Georgia 6-5 in 12 innings on Feb. 25.

The teams opened the series Friday night. According to Interstat’s game simulator, Maryland is projected to win Saturday’s contest 8-5.

Following the series finale Sunday, Maryland travels to face West Virginia on Tuesday. Troy hosts a three-game set against Old Dominion next weekend after a road game at Alabama on Tuesday.