Preview: Baseball Opens Season Against Maryland

WACO, Texas - Baylor Baseball kicks off its season Friday, February 18th against the University of Maryland at Baylor Ballpark. Games are slated for 6:30 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday (ESPN+).

BAYLOR BEARS     

After failing to reach the 2021 NCAA Tournament, the Bears look to use that disappointment to propel them to a hot start this season. Baylor is returning a veteran team and expects to be in contention for a Big 12 title. 

Led by the All-American, Jared McKenzie, Baylor looks to match up well against Maryland offensively.

The three-game series against Maryland starts on February 18 at 6:30 PM CT, and it is a part of a seven-game homestand for the Bears to start the season at Baylor Ballpark in Waco.

Starting pitchers for the Bears will be Tyler Thomas (Friday), Blake Helton (Saturday), and Jake Jackson (Sunday).

2021 Record: 31-20

2021 Big 12 Record: 11-13

Head Coach: Steve Rodriguez

Career: 572-418 (19th season)

BU: 171-118 (7th season)

2021 STAT LEADERS (Returning)

AVG: Jared McKenzie (.383)

2B: Tre Richardson (16)

HR: Jared McKenzie (10)

RBI: Jared McKenzie (44)

OBP: Jared McKenzie (.453)

ERA: Tyler Thomas (2.49)

IP: Tyler Thomas (65)

K: Tyler Thomas (66)

MARYLAND TERRAPINS

#24 Maryland was 30-18 in 2021 and finished second in the BIG 10 behind Nebraska. The Terrapins played in their seventh NCAA Tournament last year, and it was fourth in the last seven years (2014, 2015, 2017, 2021). The Terps ended the season going 2-2 in the Greenville Regional and losing to #12 East Carolina.

2B Matt Shaw and SP Nick Dean were selected to the Preseason All-Big 10 first-team. Shaw was also picked as a Preseason Second Team All-American. As a freshman, he led the team with a .332 batting average and 61 hits.

The Terps expect to be a dangerous team this spring with a stout weekend rotation and a dangerous lineup. Maryland is projected to finish in the top half of the BIG 10.

2021 Record: 30-18

2021 BIG 10 Record: 28-16

Head Coach: Rob Vaughn

Career: 93-82 (5th season)

Maryland: 93-82 (5th season)

2021 STAT LEADERS (Returning)

AVG: Matt Shaw (.332)

2B: Matt Shaw (16)

HR: Matt Shaw (7)

RBI: Matt Shaw (30)

OBP: Maxwell Costes (.512)

ERA: Nick Dean (2.87)

IP: Jason Savacool (75.1)

K: Jason Savacool (52)