Chambana Sun

Illinois baseball's nine-game winning streak ended with a 9-8 loss to Maryland at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium. Camden Janik, Connor Milton, and Jacob Schroeder each recorded three hits, combining for a total of nine hits in 14 at-bats. Schroeder hit a home run, contributing to five RBIs and one walk. Vytas Valincius also homered, finishing the game with two runs and two RBIs.

Payton Hutchings provided solid relief pitching for Illinois but did not factor into the decision. He allowed only one run on two hits over 4.1 innings while striking out two batters.

Maryland started strong with a 4-0 lead after the first inning. Illinois responded with Schroeder's three-run homer in the first inning to cut the deficit to one run. Maryland added another run in the second inning before Valincius tied the game with his two-run homer in the third inning.

The Terrapins scored three more runs in their half of the third inning, making it an 8-5 game. Illinois managed to score again when Janik singled home Coltin Quagliano in the fourth inning.

Hutchings kept Maryland from scoring further until they added another run in the seventh inning, increasing their lead to 9-6. Illinois narrowed it down to 9-8 after Janik was hit by a pitch with bases loaded and Milton scored on a wild pitch in the eighth inning.

In their final attempt during the ninth inning, Illinois brought up potential tying runs but could not capitalize on them.

Illinois will play against Maryland again tomorrow at 11 a.m. CT for their series' rubber match.