:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/33365539/20120603_pjc_ae9_346.0.jpg)
It was news to me last week that Maryland still had a baseball program. I swore they had cut it about a year and a half ago. It was even more surprising that they made the ACC Tournament in their last year in the Conference. I am so happy that those boys will get to experience the magic of an ACC Tournament! It's unfortunate that they got paired with UVa, UNC, and FSU. A 1-2 record (at best) coming down the pipe!
The Hoos and Terps didn't square off this season (thanks conference expansion!), but Coach O'Connor has a pretty sweet 27-3 record against the Crabcake and Footballers. Unfortunately, 2 of those 3 losses have come in the last four matchups. Also not surprising, UVa hasn't played Maryland in the ACC tournament in the last ten years.
This season, I didn't expect much from the Terps. They are projected to make the NCAA tournament thanks in large part to a 15-14 ACC record and some strong midweek victories over tough opponents (VCU, Liberty, WVU). Overall, they've put together a pretty impressive run, and will likely be awarded with a 3 seed in an SEC regional. Good luck.
The Terps are likely throwing Sr. Righthander Jake Stinnett. Stinnett has been a go to guy for them this season posting a 6-6 record in 13 starts while maintaining a 2.53 ERA. He has a tendency to give up the long ball, which does not bode well for him in Greensboro. If UVa can see the ball up in the zone and let it fly, they could put up a big number early thanks to the crackerjack box stadium that is Grennsboro.
They've hit fairly well as a team, amassing a .269 average, however they do look prone to the strikeout. On the other hand, they lead the ACC with 111 HBP. The next closest team in that category is FSU with only 81. To say they crowd the plate and lean in would be an understatement. Artie and the rest of the UVa staff will have to keep an eye on that.
I don't think this one will be very close. Maryland is a decent team, but when they have played solid programs like UVa this year, they've fallen apart (1-2 v. FSU, 1-2 v. UNC, 0-2 v. Clemson). I'd set the spread for the game at UVa -3.5, and I expect the Hoos to cover.